Ibiza and Formentera experienced a slight decline in visitor numbers in the first half of 2025, but a rise in tourist spending. According to José Antonio Roselló, vice president of the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands (CAEB) in Ibiza and Formentera, this represents a possible turning point towards a more sustainable model after years of continued growth in tourist numbers.
The latest data from the Balearic Institute of Statistics (IBESTAT) confirmed a 0.62% decrease in tourist numbers compared to the same period in 2024, with almost 1.4 million visitors arriving between January and June. Despite this slight decrease, total tourist spending in the Pitiusas amounted to €1.411 billion — an increase of 1.85% compared to the same period last year.
In June, which is a key month at the start of the high season, visitors spent more than €653 million, which is an increase of 1.82%. This increase in spending, despite a slight restraint in tourism, was one of the key points highlighted yesterday by José Antonio Roselló, who warned that 'we are facing the possible start of a process of restraint because we have gone too far'. According to Roselló, the island has become too crowded and it is time to «take a breather and rethink our situation».
Growth in value
Although he admitted that it is still too early to talk about a clear change in trend, he considers it positive that 'growth in value is beginning to take precedence over growth in quantity'. He also insisted that the current data should be interpreted with caution: 'We cannot talk about an unequivocal change in trend. You only have to go out on the street to see that activity is still very intense.'
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that there are 'signs' indicating a shift from previous seasons and suggested that this phase of containment could mark 'the beginning of a new tourism model'. 'The fact that spending is increasing while the number of visitors from certain countries, such as Britain, is declining is a positive thing. We prefer to grow in value rather than in quantity, but we need to confirm that this preliminary process is consolidating,» he stressed, noting that «some businesses are already noticing this change.» Although the effects are mild for now, he believes that tourism in Ibiza is entering a transitional phase, as reflected by this analysis of the source markets.
According to IBESTAT data, there was a 7.6% drop in British tourist arrivals in June, which is historically the most important month for Ibiza, with 157,500 visitors. There was also a 21.5% decrease in travellers from the Netherlands and a 10% decrease in German visitors.
In contrast, there was a significant increase in Italian and French tourists, with growth of 21% in June and 75,000 and 43,000 visitors respectively. Domestic tourism also showed signs of decline. In June, spending by Spanish tourists fell by 1.4% to an average of 698 euros per person — 2.5% less than in 2024.
Daily spending fell by 9.4% to €139. The decline in the British market has been particularly significant in terms of spending. In June, visitors from the United Kingdom spent an average of €1,222, 2.47% less than in the same month last year. In contrast, German tourists increased their spending by 6.3%, with an average of €1,238 per person.
Despite the declines in some markets, the hotel sector maintains a stable outlook for the rest of the season. According to the manager of the Pitiusas Hotel Federation, Manuel Sendino, «we expect a good August and September,» he added, pointing out that, according to the data handled by the Hotel Federation, domestic tourists have increased and, in relation to the decline in British tourists, the employers' association has doubts. «I don't think the British have declined as some data suggest,» he said.
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