A survey carried out by ASHOME (the Menorcan Hoteliers' Association) confirms a slow but encouraging recovery in the tourist sector, with more holidaymakers coming to the island this year and staying for longer periods. The figures show that the hotels were 86.7% full in July, an increase of almost 8% on last year. This follows a 5% increase in June.
The average length of holiday last month was 6.54 days, compared to 6.08 in July 2009. A similar slight increase on last year's figures has been seen each month this year, in contrast to the rest of Spain where the average holiday has gradually shortened, although tourist numbers have increased.
The association believes that the results of the survey indicate that the continuous decline in tourism experienced during the last five years has been halted and that tourism is now on the increase.
Regional variation
However, a comparative study between last season and this shows that the results vary greatly depending on the area of the island. Whilst hotels in the Ciutadella district were 90.4% full this July (82.5% in 2009), and Maó, Es Castell and Sant Lluís saw a very healthy increase from 71.8% in 2009 to 84.6% this year, as did Alaior, Es Migjorn Gran and Ferreries which improved from 77.5% to 86.2%, Es Mercadal's figure of 77.6% was actually lower than the 79.1% recorded in July last year.
By nationality, 35% of July's visitors were Spanish, 33% British, 12% Italian and 10% German.
Numbering 84,576 in July (and slightly up on last year's figures), the British still account for the majority of the island's foreign visitors, according to statistics provided by AENA (the organisation that manages the airport) and ASHOME. A 36.4% increase saw the Italian trade improve from 12,793 last year to 17,452 this, whilst the number of German tourists also rose, from 8,597 to 11,599.
The President of the Island Council of Menorca, Marc Pons, cautiously welcomed the figures and hoped that August would also show an improvement, giving a firmer indication of a change in trend.
Feeling the summer strain
Whilst those connected with tourism are breathing a sigh of relief that the continuous decline experienced over the last five years appears to have come to a halt and the island's popularity as a holiday destination is once again on the increase, questions are now being asked about whether Menorca can sustain the volume of visitors it receives at the height of the season.
The increase in population from around 75,000 in January to 171,000 in August (2009 figures) places a great strain on the electricity and water supplies, the roads, car parks, services, medical care etc.
There have been many demands for improvements to be made to the infrastructure, e.g. turning the main road into a dual carriageway, but there have also been cautionary voices in the local press warning that the island must not lose its identity nor forget that it is a Biosphere Reserve. While some improvements are certainly needed, how far-reaching they are is still open to debate.