Menorca Welcomes New 2007 Brit Tourists

2007 has proved to be a good year for Spanish tourism, and with Majorca doing particularly well, the sister island of Menorca is doing her best not to be overshadowed.

With official figures some way off, the general feeling in the hotels and holidays trade is that, like Majorca, an increase in the number of visitors compared to 2006 is likely.

But privately run companies often have a quicker gauge on market trends than government bodies, and easyJet, one of Europe's best known airlines, has begun a new route to Menorca from the island's important UK market. The new route flies from Newcastle in the north-east of England to Menorca's capital Mahon, and some 5000 holiday makers are anticipated to be using the service during this season. The Newcastle service to Menorca is in addition to the airline's existing flights in the UK to the island from London's Gatwick Airport, Liverpool and Bristol.

In a further boost for Menorca, this time from the financial services sector, one of Britain's best known banks and mortgage provider is to open three new offices on the Spanish islands of the Canaries plus Menorca to meet demand for Britons looking to buy a home in Spain.

The decision by the Halifax was taken from data showing a trend towards Britons buying homes overseas, with Spain the most popular choice.

Part of the decision was to open in Menorca, the quietest of the three Balearic Islands. Commenting on the move a local travel guide commented:

'While Majorca and Ibiza are possibly better known than Menorca, it's perhaps not so surprising that the bank has decided to open an office on the island. The typical buyer for property in Menorca is normally older than that for Majorca and Ibiza, which could mean they are hoping to service their investments and pensions along with a normal account - especially for those moving full time to Menorca.'

Commenting on the new bank branch in Menorca, the bank said that the opening of branches away from mainland Spain is an important step in the development of their branch network, and that they will continue to target the Spanish islands in addition to their Spanish mainland business.

Once bought, Menorca villas are often let out to holidaymakers, with the season generally running from May to end September.

The three Balearic Islands of Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza might be close to each other, but they are all different in character and the type of tourist they typically attract.

A surprise is that the amount of time spent on Ibiza by each tourist is longer than on Menorca and Majorca - destroying the myth that Ibiza is primarily for long weekends or short trips for a couple of nights in the club.

Recent findings by the Balearics Tourist Authority show that after Ibiza, Menorca visitors stay on average for 11 days, with Majorca just behind. And the same pattern emerges for spending per day, with Ibiza top, Majorca second, and Menorca last.

The amount spent by Ibiza tourists averaged 94 Euros a day - a huge contribution to the island's economy, looked on enviously by Majorca and Menorca. But with new banks and flights Menorca might be starting to catch her sisters up.