Tag: travel

The Solar Eclipse Impact on Mallorca Tourism

I for one probably underestimated the impact that the eclipse has had on Mallorca. It was something I had been aware of for about a year, but it didn’t really float my boat, if I’m honest. I remember reading reports earlier in the year that Sóller was already 80% sold out for that week, but still, it didn’t fully register.

In actual fact, I only really started thinking about it properly when our Talking Balearics podcast talked about it three weeks ago. Also, through what I was doing as part of my concierge business, I was suddenly dealing with a whole load of different nationalities, but the country that had the most visitors was, without doubt, the USA. When I was speaking to them, some had made their reservations 18 months ago!

Eclipse hunters are also called umbraphiles. They are dedicated travellers who journey across the globe to witness total solar eclipses.

Shadow Lovers: The word umbraphile means “shadow lover.”

Obsessive Planners: They track paths of totality years in advance.

Global Travellers: They visit remote islands, big cities and rural villages just for minutes of darkness.

I listened to their stories of where they had been and how many eclipses they had seen. These were people from all walks of life, both young and old, and they all had one thing in common.

Working in Palma in July and August with the heat isn’t easy, but there was such a change in the city in the days leading up to the eclipse. Obviously, it was busy, but there was a buzz building as everyone was deciding where they were going to watch it.

Interestingly, though, on the day itself, Palma was eerily quiet. Not quite a ghost town, but in normal Palma terms, it wasn’t far off.

We were lucky as, where we live near Port Adriano, we could walk out onto the rocks near Malgrats and watch it. I have to admit, I was blown away by the experience, particularly when totality happened.

Social media was flooded with videos and pictures. My wife was very happy that she won a prize in the Majorca Daily Bulletin photo competition and became even happier when she realised she had beaten the Beckhams!

The next total solar eclipse will take place on August 2nd, 2027. The path of totality, as it’s called, will be seen in the following places:

  • Europe: Southern Spain and Gibraltar.
  • North & East Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt (including Luxor and the Giza Pyramids), Sudan and Somalia.
  • Middle East: Saudi Arabia (including Mecca) and Yemen.

Totality will last up to an incredible 6 minutes and 22 seconds near Luxor, Egypt, making it one of the longest land-based total solar eclipses of the 21st century.

Some of the people I spoke to had already booked to go to there and, whether you like it or not, the eclipse mixed with the pyramids is going to be pretty spectacular.

In fact, some of them were even thinking about the one after that, which will happen on Saturday, July 22nd, 2028, in Australia and New Zealand.

I checked online and there are travel companies that dedicate themselves to this form of travel, including many cruise companies that offer specific cruises too.

On the day of the eclipse, there were six ships moored in Palma despite the three-ship daily limit. These, however, were more VIP vessels that hold fewer passengers and therefore remained below the passenger capacity set by the Balearic Government.

It’s a great way to travel the world when you think about it. Although, now I’ve seen one, I’m not sure if I would go to another country specifically to see another. Each to their own, though, and without doubt, it has given a huge boost to the economy here in Mallorca.

Just a pity it didn’t happen in the low season, but you can’t have everything!

Balancing Tourism and Local Life: Mallorca’s Sustainability Challenges

It’s a subject that keeps coming up, and I’ve commented on it many times here. It comes back into the spotlight again here in Mallorca on Sunday, July 26th. We are talking about tourism sustainability.

The last major protest of this kind was in July last year, so it makes you wonder two things: Is there a problem, and what have these people been doing for the past year?

You would think the protesters would have come up with some workable ideas by now that could benefit the island. But no. What they have come up with is a document singling out key commercial pillars that they accuse of driving up the cost of living and squeezing out local residents.

  • Holiday Rental Properties: Apartments and villas utilised for short-term tourist accommodation.
  • Hotels and Resorts: Major hotel chains and infrastructure catering to mass tourism.
  • Real Estate Agencies: Firms facilitating property investments and second-home purchases for international buyers.

This is the part I find unbelievable, and I’m not making this up.

Rather than advocating for peaceful assemblies, the document functions as an operational guide for low-level sabotage and avoiding law enforcement.

  • Identifying and avoiding security cameras when targeting a business.
  • Scanning areas for police presence and checking for plainclothes officers.
  • Tactical advice on avoiding personal identification by the authorities.
  • Carrying out direct actions such as graffiti, vandalism and property defacement, building on recent incidents where real estate storefronts were smashed and spray-painted.

Now, I believe in people’s right to protest, but when you go down this line, to me, you lose all credibility. This is what we are dealing with. Rather than coming up with sensible ideas, they come up with this. I’m lost for words.

I agree that Mallorca needs to look at its sustainability, but let’s be honest: we are not working flat out for 12 months of the year. I would say it’s four months—June to September. Some would argue it’s only July and August. Regardless of whether it’s two or four months, it’s not all year round. But that shouldn’t be an excuse to ignore what is going on. We should react in a positive way.

To alleviate the strain on infrastructure and the local housing market, the authorities have introduced definitive caps:

  • Cruise Ship Restrictions: Palma limits cruise arrivals to a maximum of three ships per day, with only one allowed to be a mega-ship carrying over 5,000 passengers.
  • Accommodation Freezes: Local updates for 2026 show a complete halt to the construction of new youth hostels and tourist apartment rentals in the capital city.
  • Capacity Targets: The Balearic Government has explicitly set caps to prevent total visitor numbers across the archipelago from exceeding historical thresholds.
  • In Mallorca, you are legally required to have an official tourist licence to advertise a property for short-term holiday rentals. Airbnb enforces this by requiring owners to enter a valid licence number before a listing can go live. In the city of Palma, renting apartments to tourists is now illegal.

However, here is a great example of how a national government run by one political party can undermine all the work of an island government run by another. The national government, run by the PSOE in coalition, decided to create a moratorium allowing roughly 500,000 undocumented migrants to obtain one-year work and residence permits. The measure was designed to integrate foreign nationals already in the country, address labour shortages and combat exploitation.

At this point, 34,000 have applied here in Mallorca. Whilst they now become legal residents, it makes you wonder how many didn’t apply, and what steps are we taking to stop undocumented migrants arriving in the first place?

I keep going back to an interview I did with Brad Robertson, who is the Founder and Ambassador of Save The Med. One of their missions is to promote regeneration through a holistic approach, helping local communities become aware and active custodians.

He said, “There’s too many people, mate. Whether you’re a tourist or someone who doesn’t leave your house, it doesn’t matter. There’s just too many of us!”

In two decades, Mallorca’s population has grown from 727,000 to 960,000, an increase of 32 per cent.

The questions remain:

  • Do we have a sustainability issue? Yes.
  • Are we doing something about it? Yes.
  • Can we do more? Yes.

Let’s see how the protest pans out.

The Transformation of Magaluf: From Party Hub to Luxury Destination

I arrived in Mallorca in 1990 on a Dan-Air flight (remember them?) as I was attending a training course for new holiday reps with a company called Intasun. We had never been abroad as a family, so my mum (God bless her) thought I would be back within a week. Thirty-six years later, I’m still here!

The training course took place at the Hotel Guadalupe in Magaluf. It was fairly intense, but my previous four years as a Butlin’s Redcoat stood me in good stead, and I passed with flying colours. There must have been around 50 people on the course, and everyone who passed was called in to be told where in the world they were being sent. Another girl called Lisa and I were told we were staying in Magaluf.

And so my love affair with Mallorca and Magaluf began.

Magaluf’s advertising in 1990 was defined by brash, party-focused marketing from budget travel operators like Club 18–30. Campaigns relied heavily on cheeky slogans, radio spots, and tabloid print ads, promoting cheap booze and “sun-and-sex” holidays. That said, there was still a healthy mix of families visiting the resort.

A family holiday in Magaluf in 1990 was the classic British package holiday. It offered 3-star hotels, sun-drenched sandy beaches, and a boisterous, neon-lit nightlife, with family-friendly bars such as Manos and Benny Hill’s. It was also the time when Pirates Adventure came to the fore. As a hot-day rep, it was my favourite excursion, and I sent hundreds of people there. Little did I know it would become the company I would eventually spend the next 30 years working for.

Like this year, 1990 was a World Cup year, when England came so close to reaching the final. World in Motion by New Order, featuring the iconic John Barnes rap, was released and became a massive hit. Other songs I remember include Step On by The Happy Mondays, Groove Is in the Heart by Deee-Lite, and U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer.

A pint of lager cost around 200 to 300 pesetas, and a full English breakfast was between 350 and 500 pesetas. Yes, this was all before the euro even existed.

I lived through all the good times of the 1990s and early 2000s, but then it all started to go wrong. Magaluf was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Something had to change, and it did.

This transformation was driven by strict local legislation, hundreds of millions of euros in private investment, and a major push to improve the resort’s image and environmental footprint.

The new Magaluf was born – or, as it’s now known, Calvià Beach Resort.

It is no longer a resort dominated by the UK market. Instead, it has become far more cosmopolitan, with visitors arriving from all over the world.

More than 80% of the hotels are now four- and five-star properties. Brands such as Meliá, Fergus, and Globales have invested millions, helping to extend the tourist season and encouraging growth in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector.

Nikki Beach Mallorca has become the luxury anchor of Magaluf’s upscale transformation. Fashion brands such as Mango and Springfield, supermarket chains including Lidl and Aldi, and food and beverage names such as Five Guys and Starbucks are now all part of the resort’s growing fabric. Add to that the increasing number of bars, restaurants, beach clubs, and cafés run by local entrepreneurs, whose food, drinks, and customer service are second to none.

The beach is one of the finest urban beaches in Mallorca, having earned the prestigious Q for Tourist Quality flag. It has also been restored to a more natural state, complete with a dune system and palm trees. Through the new DTI (Smart Tourist Destination) project, the beach is now monitored in real time, allowing visitors to instantly check occupancy levels, water quality, and other useful information.

There’s also a new boardwalk, which has enhanced the range of leisure and dining options, significantly raised standards, and helped establish the resort as a Mediterranean benchmark for urban renewal.

The resort is home to some of the island’s leading family attractions, including Pirates Adventure, Western Water Park, and Katmandu Park.

Mallorca Live Festival, held on the outskirts of Magaluf, has established itself as one of Europe’s must-visit music festivals. This year, more than 70,000 people attended over three days to see artists including The Prodigy, Kaiser Chiefs, and David Guetta. Next year, the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary, with the dates of 11th and 12th June already in the diary.

Sports tourism has also grown significantly, with the state-of-the-art athletics stadium leading the way in welcoming athletes from around the world.

Magaluf still offers a fantastic nightlife; it’s simply become that little bit more sophisticated. BCM has consistently been ranked among the world’s leading nightclubs by DJ Mag and Nightlife International. It focuses heavily on EDM, house, trance, hip-hop, and R&B, and has welcomed world-renowned artists such as Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Steve Aoki, and Martin Garrix.

Probably one of the greatest achievements by the local authorities has been the improvements in safety and security. In recent years, the number of complaints during the high season has fallen by around 30% – a steady improvement backed up by Local Police data.

Magaluf has changed and, in my opinion, changed for the better. Granted, it’s not the same resort I first arrived in back in 1990. But times change, and Magaluf has evolved into a high-quality destination that now attracts visitors from the four corners of the world.

Travel Woes and Thrills: Following Arsenal in London

From the heartbreak of my Spanish club, Real Mallorca, getting relegated, I went to the euphoria of my English club, Arsenal, winning the Premier League. So my two sons and I decided to go to London to watch them play and then attend the trophy parade on the Sunday.

We had intended to go to Budapest for the final, but the cost of flights and hotels was off the scale. Something needs to be done about airlines and hotels profiteering whenever a major event comes to a certain city. How can a hotel that normally charges €100 for a room suddenly charge €1,000 for the exact same room on the night of the event? Remember, that’s a two-star hotel charging five-star prices, yet you’re still getting a two-star hotel room. You can guarantee that the same room will be back to €100 the following day. It’s wrong and should not be allowed to happen.

Anyway, we ended up in London and were in desperate search of a pub that hadn’t sold tickets the week before. There were hundreds of people on the streets all looking to do the same thing. We eventually found one called The George, just off Holloway Road.

The atmosphere was great: lots of banter, songs being sung, and plenty of drink being drunk! At £8.00 a pint, I’m sure the landlord was very happy.

I’m sure you know by now how the game went. Arsenal scored early on and PSG equalised in the second half from a penalty. In the end, penalties were the only way they could separate the two teams. They’re still searching for the ball from Gabriel’s penalty, which left PSG winning 4-3.

We went back to the hotel quietly, but knowing we still had the Premier League trophy parade on Sunday to look forward to.

We arrived at Finsbury Park on Sunday morning at around 11am and straight away you could see it was very busy. We decided to stay in that area rather than walk somewhere else. The crowd was around 30 people deep at the front at that point and getting deeper by the minute.

We then had approximately four hours to wait before the team bus was due to arrive. I don’t recommend hanging around for that amount of time with absolutely nothing to do. When the bus did arrive, it was a fleeting 20 seconds and most of it was lost beneath the red smoke filling the air from hundreds of flares being held aloft. Whoever’s clever idea that was hadn’t really thought it through properly.

And that was that — parade over.

It was 3.30pm and we then had to make our way back to Gatwick for a flight due to leave at 9.00pm. Fairly routine, you’d think: the Tube and then the Gatwick Express from Victoria. But we hadn’t banked on the sheer disorganisation of Transport for London, the Metropolitan Police and, I’ll throw him in there too, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

We went to Finsbury Park Tube station, which was shut, with no announcements telling anyone what was actually happening. So I said, “Let’s walk to Arsenal station.” We got there and that was shut too. Onward we shuffled to Highbury & Islington station. There was a pattern developing here — closed.

A policewoman sent us to Angel station, which she assured us was definitely open… it was closed.

By this time I was looking at my watch thinking, “Are we going to make this flight?” Next stop on our magical mystery Tube tour was King’s Cross St Pancras. You’ve guessed it… CLOSED!

Eventually, due to crowd pressure, they opened the gates. We hot-footed it — which wasn’t a saying by the way — to Victoria and caught the train to Gatwick. We arrived at Gatwick at 7.30pm.

So a journey that would normally have taken just over an hour actually took four hours.

When we got airside, we were greeted by the departure screen delightfully informing us that we were delayed by an hour and a half. When we were eventually called to the gate, we arrived to find the other 21 people waiting in the queue. Yes, there were only 24 of us!

The plane then mysteriously developed a technical fault, which led me to believe we were spending the night at Gatwick. An €18 drinks voucher was given to us at midnight, which was gratefully received, but we had nowhere to spend it because everything had already shut.

At 02.00am we finally took off, with all of us having about six rows each to stretch out on. We arrived just as the alarms on my phone were telling me to wake up for my morning breakfast show on Wave Mallorca Radio!

Definitely a weekend to remember, and I’ll leave you with the words of Louis Dunford:

North London forever

Whatever the weather

These streets are our own

And my heart will leave you never

My blood will forever

Run through the stone!

Palma Boat Show: A Key Player in Mallorca’s Nautical Economy

I had the pleasure of being involved in the Palma Boat Show last week. As part of Wave Mallorca Radio, we did three days of live broadcasts from three different stands, offering three different aspects of the yachting industry.

I am guilty of saying that Mallorca only has tourism as a major industry. However, the nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, with Mallorca as its hub, contributes approximately 3.1% to the regional GDP. As of 2024, the sector generated over €1.1 billion in annual turnover, supported by 879 companies and more than 5,000 direct jobs, primarily in refit, repair, and marina services. Let’s remember that the majority of this work is year-round, rather than limited to the shorter tourism season, making it a very important part of the islands’ makeup.

The Palma International Boat Show (PIBS) is a major economic engine for Mallorca, generating over €21 million in direct economic impact, boosting low-season tourism, and cementing the island as a premier Mediterranean yachting hub. It draws roughly 30,000 visitors and over 300 companies, significantly supporting the local nautical sector. As mentioned above, we did three live broadcasts on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

On Wednesday, we were with Warren Maritime, a boutique superyacht recruitment agency, which means you won’t be one file among hundreds. They work with a focused roster of vessels and candidates, giving them the time to understand what each placement actually requires. Superyachts operate differently from standard vessels—tighter crews, higher standards, and more complex dynamics. After years in the industry, they know what to look for beyond the CV. They match technical expertise with operational fit, career ambitions with genuine growth opportunities, and personalities with crew culture. It’s detailed work, but that’s what makes placements succeed long-term.

Founder Helen Warren said: “The boat show was a fantastic success for us. We had the opportunity to connect with many of our existing clients while also meeting a great number of new ones. It was an excellent platform for meaningful conversations, strengthening relationships, and building valuable new connections through productive networking. We are thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead and to seeing the business continue to grow.”

Engineering Recruitment Consultant Clare Ferridge said: “PIBS is getting better each year—amazing turnout and loads of interesting people from all parts of the yachting world. Fantastic to have Wave broadcasting live from our stand—an awesome start to the show that created a real buzz.”

For more information, please contact: https://warrenmaritime.com

On Thursday, we were with Precision Marine Engineering, who provide a wide range of pragmatic, affordable, and professionally delivered marine engineering services. They are experienced professionals in the marine engineering industry and have been providing successful services from 1994 to the present day. Their policy is to deliver quality service tailored to customers’ requirements and deadlines. PME has been a family-run business since it was formed in 1996, and its founder, Andrew Wilcox, is still actively involved today.

Operations Manager Allan Liñan said: “The boat show was a fantastic success for us. We had the opportunity to connect with many of our existing clients while also meeting a great number of new ones. It was an excellent platform for meaningful conversations, strengthening relationships, and building valuable new connections through productive networking. We are thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead and to seeing the business continue to grow.”

For more information, please contact: https://www.precision-marine.net

Nauti-Parts has been growing from strength to strength, now employing a wide range of staff and offering services from a replacement Boston valve to supplying tenders to the largest superyachts. They also offer jet ski and water toy sales, rentals, and servicing from their stores in Portals Nous and Port Adriano, as well as their brand-new service centre in Son Bugadelles, Santa Ponsa.

Russell from Nauti-Parts took me on a tour of their new facility in Santa Ponsa, and I have to say it is huge and very impressive. Their winter storage facilities for jet skis are second to none.

Nauti-Parts also provides storage, maintenance, repairs, and a collection and delivery service, enabling them to handle anything from the smallest to the largest of tasks to keep your investment in ship-shape condition. Whether it’s a private or charter concern, Nauti-Parts can cater to your every need.

Russell Fenwick, owner of Nauti-Parts, said: “It was a huge success and the best show ever. We are looking forward to 2027!”

For more information, please contact: https://nauti-parts.com

These were just three of the many exhibitors at the boat show, and the others I had the chance to speak to were all singing its praises. Here’s to PIBS 2027!

Mallorca’s Transformation: From Party Island to Luxury Destination

Mallorca has, without doubt, changed dramatically since I first came here in 1990. The three-star bucket-and-spade, party-island image has become a thing of the past. Personally, I think it’s a positive move, and it shows that we haven’t stood still—we’ve reacted to what the market wants.

The transformation of Magaluf into a “quality over quantity” destination is reflected in recent data. Figures from 2025 provided by the town hall in Calvià suggest that 4- and 5-star hotels now account for 80% of the total hotel beds in the area.

Hotel chains such as Meliá, Iberostar, Fergus, and Zafiro have spent millions upgrading their properties. The quality of the bars, cafés, and restaurants—particularly along the seafronts of both Magaluf and Palma Nova—now, in my opinion, makes it a gastronomic must for people looking to eat out.

The newly built promenade along Magaluf Beach will be finished in May, enhancing one of Mallorca’s already top beaches to an even higher level. Let’s also remember that Nikki Beach, the world-renowned beach club brand, has a venue at the end of that beach.

I interviewed Gary Napier of Street Angels this week on the radio. They are a team of Christian volunteers who patrol the nightlife area of Magaluf, providing care and safety to partygoers during peak season. Gary said that their work has diminished quite dramatically over the last five years—but in a positive way—showing that the resort is changing for the better.

When you look across the island, you can see world-renowned hotel brands investing heavily. These include the soon-to-open Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, alongside the St. Regis Mardavall in the south of the island; the Four Seasons resort in Formentor in the north; and Belmond La Residencia in Deià, as well as Jumeirah in Port de Sóller in the west.

These are just a few examples of the changes Mallorca is going through. I mentioned last time the huge €560 million investment in Palma Airport, and Palma is now among the top three European destinations for private jet traffic, frequently mentioned alongside Nice and Geneva.

I also read with interest this week that Jet2 has announced the launch of its first-ever business class layout on an aircraft. The aircraft is typically configured with 189 seats, but that has been reduced to 76. They expect it to be popular with their sports, music, entertainment, and specialist group customers, meeting demand for greater privacy and comfort.

The marinas are full of amazing yachts and motor yachts. In fact, as I step out of my apartment by Port Adriano, I can see the 58-metre masts of one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated sailing yachts, Maltese Falcon. The 88-metre (289 ft) superyacht is estimated to be valued at approximately US$75 million to over US$100 million, with annual running costs of US$4–8 million. Owned by Elena Ambrosiadou and built by Perini Navi in 2006, the vessel is renowned for its revolutionary DynaRig sailing system and is available for charter, often listed at approximately €490,000–€580,000 per week.

Through my concierge business, Priority Mallorca, I’m dealing with more and more clients from a wide range of countries. I’ve had enquiries from the United States, Canada, Singapore, Japan, and across Europe. This shows we are attracting more diverse markets—not just UK, German, and Spanish holidaymakers as before.

The more diverse we become, the better it will be for all of us.

Positive Outlook on Mallorca Travel Amid Airline Changes

This was the headline in the Daily Express last week, and I know similar reports were seen over here. I am always a glass-half-full person, not half empty, and when I look at the outlook for travel—particularly here to Mallorca—I am pretty positive.

Michael O’Leary is never shy about saying things that create a headline—and usually, they do. But let’s take that headline into context.

Firstly, in the short term, most airlines’ seat prices are protected by 70% fuel hedging. Airline fuel hedging is a risk-management strategy where airlines use financial contracts to lock in set prices for jet fuel, shielding them from sudden, dramatic increases in oil prices. Because fuel is one of an airline’s largest operating costs, volatile prices make budgeting difficult; hedging turns this volatile expense into a predictable one.

Secondly, you can be sure that Ryanair won’t be cancelling any of its profitable routes. They’ll use this as an opportunity to dispose of any poorly sold flights. Also remember that Mallorca is a two-hour hop from pretty much every European capital city, as it lies in the centre of the Mediterranean. Therefore, fuel consumption will be much lower than, say, flying to the Canaries.

Related to that is the fact that Palma Airport is nearing completion of its redevelopment. It started in 2022 at a cost of €560 million, so that’s four years in total. Surely some of it will soon be out of date considering how long it has taken. If some airlines want to save on fuel costs, they should check their passengers into Gate D99—I’ve never known such a long walk!

Where there might be a more challenging market is in long-haul holidays and flights. But you can be sure that if the American economy starts to be affected, then Trump will have to do something. The UK is the United States’ largest overseas inbound tourism market, contributing roughly 4 to 4.6 million annual visitors and accounting for about 11.7% of all overseas visits. UK visitors often spend heavily on leisure, making it a critical, high-value source market for American tourism.

Quite a few Americans I’ve spoken to are turning on Trump and his methods of governing. His current approval rating is 39.1%, and public sentiment in the States has trended significantly downward in recent weeks, largely driven by dissatisfaction with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and domestic economic pressures.

I personally think Trump has used this war to deflect attention away from the Epstein files, in which he is, without doubt, implicated. I also think he’s been blindsided by the reluctance of NATO countries to join in.

Our petrol prices here in Spain have been reduced due to the cut in VAT, but if this carries on for much longer, not only will petrol rise again—everything else will as well.

With the new tourist season opening this past week, we must stay positive.

Travel Habits Changing: The Impact of Rising Airport Fees

Over the Christmas and New Year break, when you have too much free time on your hands, I find myself doing things I wouldn’t normally do. Facebook and Instagram are platforms I use on a daily basis in my working life, but X — or Twitter in old money — I rarely use. However, when I have time, I find myself going down a rabbit hole of scrolling and commenting on some of the absolute rubbish that people write. I know I should just leave it alone, but sometimes I can’t help myself.

While we were away, we discovered that we needed to get Jude, our youngest, back for a game of football and training. If we had known beforehand, then maybe we wouldn’t have gone, but we had already booked four days away to see family and friends. Luckily, we were staying with some friends near Gatwick Airport, so we booked him an early-morning flight from there. I took the liberty of checking whether there was a charge to drop someone at the airport, as I knew that Luton — where we had flown from — charged £7.00. I couldn’t believe it when I read that they had put their charge up from £7 to £10.00!

So, of course, I decided to send a tweet to the airport:

How does @Gatwick_Airport substantiate a £10 drop-off charge when my @easyJet flight in January costs €19? #ripoffbritain

Within minutes, I got a reply from the airport:

Hi, while we will be increasing our drop-off charge from £7 to £10, passengers can be dropped off for free in our long-stay car parks, with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. Blue Badge holders remain exempt from the charge. The drop-off charge helps to limit the number of cars, reduce congestion, and fund a number of sustainable transport initiatives. It also plays a role in encouraging more passengers and staff to use public transport to reach the airport. Thanks, Grace

Then came the pile-on, with loads of comments mainly chastising the airport for what is basically a money grab. For a few hours, I actually went viral, which was fun. But the more serious side of me focused on the attitude of UK airports towards their passengers arriving at the airport.

London City: £13.00 (10 mins)

Heathrow: £7.00 (10 mins)

Manchester: £6.40 (10 mins)

Glasgow: £6.00 (10 mins)

Belfast: £3.00 (10 mins)

Cardiff: £3.00 (10 mins)

Compare that to some of the major airports around the world:

Palma: Free 

Paris (CDG, Orly): Free

Madrid (Barajas): Free

Frankfurt: Free

Barcelona: Free

New York JFK: Free

Dubai: Free

Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, commented:

“Airport drop-off fees have quietly become one of the fastest-rising costs of going on holiday. What used to be a quick goodbye can now cost up to £10 — and that’s before you factor in fines if it takes a little longer than anticipated.”

According to a new report, because of the financial squeeze in the UK, several long-standing travel habits are quietly being ditched this year. From packing techniques to what travellers get up to once they are inside airports, there are plenty of changes being made.

The biggest behaviour being dropped is holidaymakers no longer drinking and dining as much in airports. For some, an airport pint or a full English is the perfect fuel before a flight, but it appears this might not be as popular anymore. Rising prices and the overall cost of living mean more people are packing permitted snacks in their hand luggage to cut expenses and avoid buying food and drink at airports.

As for what travellers are putting in their bags, this has changed too. Passengers are now less likely to overpack, with many leaving the bad habit behind to avoid extra charges and baggage fees. Low-cost flights still exist, but by the time you’ve added on the extras, they aren’t anywhere near the price advertised. It’s mad that an airport drop-off, a bag that doesn’t fit the airline’s sizer, or even a caramel macchiato can actually cost more than a flight.

The travel industry needs to make sure it doesn’t price itself out of the market.

Sant Sebastià 2026: A Festival of Music and Tradition in Mallorca

Spain is widely known for its tradition of fiestas. A fiesta in Spain is a vibrant festival or celebration, often rooted in religious holidays honouring saints or commemorating historical events, but also encompassing cultural, seasonal, or modern parties. These celebrations typically feature music, parades, food, fireworks, and unique local traditions.

The patron saint of Palma de Mallorca is Saint Sebastian (Sant Sebastià), a Roman soldier martyred for his faith. His feast day is celebrated with major festivities in the city in the middle of January featuring concerts, bonfires, and traditional parades such as the Correfoc. He became the city’s patron after his relic was brought to the Cathedral, coinciding with the end of a plague and symbolising protection against epidemics.

This Friday, January the 16th the Crystal Fighters take to the stage in Plaça d’Espanya. They are an English-American electronic music band formed in London in 2007. Known for their explosive fusion of electronic music, folk influences, and festival energy, the band promises one of the international highlights of this year’s programme. Their Instagram says they are excited to start the New Year together with a free concert for all. 

On Saturday, January the 17th, the now-popular tardeos will spread across Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I and Plaça Major, with DJ sessions and live performances aimed at a broad audience. It’s a format that continues to grow in popularity, perfect for enjoying music during the afternoon while soaking up the atmosphere of Palma’s city centre.

Everything will culminate on January the 19th with the Revetla de Sant Sebastià, when simultaneous concerts will take over multiple city squares. Urban music and electrolatino will dominate Plaça d’Espanya, local talent and tradition will shine in Plaça Major, Catalan pop and Balearic sounds will fill Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I, and rock history will resonate in Plaça de Cort.

All in all, Sant Sebastià 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration marked by diversity, blending generations, traditions, and musical styles into a vibrant cultural offering that once again places Palma’s streets at the heart of the party.

Support Local Businesses in Mallorca This Holiday Season

Mallorca is, of course, known for its summer sun, but increasingly it is diversifying into a year-round destination. The weather has been much milder this current winter, and as we lead up to Christmas, Palma and Calvià are becoming the go-to places for shopping, Christmas markets, and great food and drink.

Well done to Calvià Council for offering their voucher scheme again, where residents could receive up to €40 off at participating shops. There was a budget of €250,000 on offer, which ran out in a matter of days, but it was a welcome boost for shop owners who remain open throughout the winter. I have highlighted here a few businesses that are working hard up to Christmas with food, drink, and gift ideas.

No Christmas is complete until you get yourself a tree. Not a fake one though — in my opinion, it has to be real.

At Mallorca Christmas Trees, their arborists (that’s tree surgeons to you and me) have been growing and selling the highest-quality, most sustainable, and durable Nordmann fir Christmas trees since the industry commenced in Denmark in the early 1970s. Their philosophy has always been to prioritise quality over quantity, ensuring the ethical treatment of workers, the earth, and their clients. These values are essential to their organisation. For every 10 trees they cut, they replant 14.

Tree stands, branches for decorations, and delivery are available at an additional cost.

For more information, please visit http://www.mallorcachristmastrees.com, find Mallorca Christmas Trees on Facebook and Instagram, or call or WhatsApp Quentin on +34 611 718 440. Mention me and he’ll give you a little discount. 

Not sure where you’re going to buy your meat and fish this Christmas? Bespoke Provisioning has you covered. From high-quality free-range turkeys, succulent rib roasts, and whole gammons to fresh fish such as lobsters and langoustines, they offer an exceptional range.

They specialise in the highest-quality meat and fish, fully trimmed, cut, filleted, vacuum-packed, labelled, and delivered on time. You can find them on social media under Bespoke Provisioning, call or WhatsApp Simon on +34 619 593 387, or email sales@mn2v.co.

Amor de Palmera was founded by Yasmin out of her love of art and nature, combining the two through ceramics. She finds inspiration in the beautiful island of Mallorca and the concept of slow living, from creating her own collections to bespoke commissions. This vision is incorporated into all her ceramic pieces, conveying a sense of peace and tranquillity to those who use them in their homes and daily lives, bringing the spirit and energy of the Mediterranean indoors.

Yasmin also offers workshops where participants paint either a plate or a cup. After the workshop, the piece is taken back to her studio to be fired in her kiln and is ready approximately a week later, making it fully tableware-ready. There’s no need to worry about having a creative flair — anyone can enjoy ceramic painting, with plenty of guidance and support to help you achieve the design you’re looking for.

Whether buying one of her designs or creating one yourself, her ceramics make a wonderful Christmas gift this holiday season. You can view her full collection and contact her via Instagram at @amordepalmera.

This holiday season, let Elissa and Mike from World of Wine deliver the perfect gift straight to your doorstep. From exquisite wines and elegant champagnes to premium spirits, they cater to every budget and every occasion.

Whether you’re celebrating with family, thanking clients, or simply indulging yourself, they specialise in delivering directly to boats, villas, and private homes, ensuring your festivities are seamless. You can contact them on 669 075 466 or email sales@worldofwine.es.

All of the above offer great products, excellent service, and good value for money — and by choosing them, you’re also supporting local businesses.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.