The start of 2026 confirms a decline in the number of visitors arriving in the Balearic Islands. Between January and February, the archipelago received 596,770 tourists, representing a 7.28% decrease compared with the same period the previous year, according to IBESTAT data, produced in collaboration with the INE through the “Tourist Flow” (FRONTUR) statistical operation.
This decline affected both the domestic and international markets. Specifically, tourists resident in Spain totalled 243,057 visitors (-5.66%), while those arriving from abroad reached 353,714 (-8.36%) in the cumulative total for the first two months of the year.
In addition, the start of the year revealed changes in travel habits. Most visitors chose accommodation outside the traditional tourism market -such as second homes or staying with relatives- and organised their trip without a package holiday.
January: a widespread decline of 11.7%
The year began with a sharp downturn. In January, the Balearic Islands welcomed 244,276 tourists, 11.70% fewer than in the same month of 2025.
Of the total, 109,617 were domestic tourists and 134,659 were international, accounting for 55.13% of arrivals.
By source market, Spain accounted for 44.87% of the total, followed by Germany (28.89%) and the United Kingdom (5.25%).
By island, the decline was almost generalised:
- Mallorca: 205,347 tourists (-12.86%)
- Menorca: 11,293 tourists (-19.09%), the sharpest decline
- Ibiza-Formentera: 27,636 tourists (+2.27%), the only area to record growth
As for accommodation, the use of second homes and other non-market accommodation (62.53%) predominated, compared with 28.03% who stayed in hotels and 7.40% who chose holiday rental accommodation. In addition, 91.67% organised their trip without a package holiday.
February: a more moderate decline (-3.9%)
In February, the decline eased. The islands received 352,494 tourists, 3.87% fewer than in the same month of 2025.
That month, the weight of international tourism increased, with 219,055 foreign visitors (62.14%) compared with 133,440 domestic visitors.
By source market, Germany led with 38.97% of the total, followed by Spain (37.86%) and the United Kingdom (4.16%).
By territory, the trend was once again uneven:
- Mallorca: 302,144 tourists (-6.28%)
- Menorca: 12,745 tourists (-35.36%), the sharpest decline
- Ibiza-Formentera: 37,606 tourists (+53.01%), the only destination to record growth
As for accommodation, the distribution was more balanced: 45.37% stayed in non-market accommodation, 43.13% in hotels and 11.07% in holiday rental accommodation. Travel organisation remained largely independent, with 85.46% travelling without a package holiday.
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