The Balearic Islands, Benidorm, Eastern Spain, Marbella, Malaga coast or the Canary Islands are usually called the mature tourist destinations in Spain. Overexploited tourist areas are called mature areas, where average age of hotel facilities is over a decade and they offer traditional holiday concepts from the 60s.
A lot of areas are starting their reconversion and a renewal process to offer travellers new attractions apart from their natural resources (amazing beaches).
Views from IBEROSTAR Bahía de Palma Hotel
A great example of a mature tourist area is Playa de Palma, offering a great location in Majorca, near the centre of Palma (ten minutes drive) and the airport, and with the biggest beach in Palma Bay. The developments made by the private sector in this area are committed to the hospitality industry. Therefore, there’s an increasing number of spa hotels in Playa de Palma like IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts, which offers a different type of hotel for each traveller group: Adults Only hotels, athlete hotels, family hotels in Playa de Palma… Their hotels meet all travellers needs.
The other mature tourist destinations are committed to develop higher quality hotels offering more competitive facilities and attracting travellers with high purchasing power. We are talking about areas of family hotels in Costa Adeje, the exclusive Adults Only hotels in Costa Adeje, the hotels in Marbella and other places in Costa del Sol -mostly addressed to golf travellers- and some exclusive areas in Benidorm.
The complementary offer is also increasing: more beach clubs, chill outs and new bars and restaurants oriented to people looking for exclusive places with a relaxing atmosphere at the beach. Design cafes, international brand shops, sport schools offering a wide range of activities (for example cycle tourism in Playa de Palma is really important, and hotels have special facilities for cyclists).
The public sector still needs to be more committed to this new business development in Spain, as tourism remains as the main economic activity in areas like Majorca, the Canary Islands or Benidorm. This could accelerate these changes and the new direction of the tourism industry, but we are on the right track.