07 Nov 2023
With 2024 around the corner, the Balearic Islands are gearing up for the next year with exciting new events, cultural and natural treasures to discover. Below are new key developments across the Mediterranean gems of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, from UNESCO recognitions to the hottest hotel openings, the Balearic Islands are ready to welcome travellers with open arms and exceptional experiences.
DESTINATION NEWS
MENORCA'S TALAYOTIC MONUMENTS AWARDED UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS
Menorca's prehistoric Talayotic stone monuments have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in recognition of their cultural importance. Combined with the island's existing Biosphere Reserve title, Menorca is now one of few places in the world to have dual UNESCO World Heritage status thanks to its conservation efforts. The distinction recognises Menorca's cultural heritage on the world stage and is expected to help secure new resources for the conservation of the monuments and research into Talayotic culture. The Talayotic Menorca constructions are unique to the island and include funerary naves, circular houses as well as structures such as taulas and talayots. They are considered by UNESCO to be an exceptional example of prehistoric culture and Cyclopean architecture.
IBIZA MARKS 25 YEARS AS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
2024 will mark the 25th anniversary of Ibiza's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an award that recognises both its cultural and architectural value. The island's treasures include one of the best-preserved coastal fortresses in the Mediterranean, Dalt Vila's acropolis; the Phoenician remains of Sa Caleta and its Carthaginian tombs; and the underwater meadows of Posidonia Oceánica. This one-of-a-kind seagrass, which has enormous ecological value and can only be found in the Mediterranean Sea, was also recognised by UNESCO in 1999.
IBIZA TO HOST THE PTO EUROPEAN OPEN IN 2024
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) European Open will return to Ibiza on 28 -29 September 2024, ready to crown the next 'European Champion'. The Triathlon is one of many exciting sporting events in Ibiza's calendar that will help to encourage travel to the island outside of the summer months. The course will start on the south side of the island, at Figueretas Beach, before the athletes head out on their bikes towards San Antonio and finish with a run through Ibiza Port into the World Heritage protected old town. The event is back by popular demand following the successful 2023 event, which attracted 12,000 additional visitors to the island, and provided a significant economic boost at the end of the summer season. For more details and to register interest, visit protriathletes.org/events/pto-tour/european-open/age-group/
SAN ANTONIO IN IBIZA LAUNCHES NEW STREET ART ROUTE
Since hosting the pilot for Ibiza's annual street art festival, Bloop, in 2011, San Antonio has thrived as a vibrant creativity hub, attracting international artists and art enthusiasts year-round. For 2024, San Antonio has launched the new "Ruta ArtUrbà" (street art route). This route will guide visitors through the town's streets to discover 16 expansive and symbolic murals adorning walls and building facades. These works showcase artists from around the world, creating a captivating open-air contemporary museum within the town's urban environment.
PALMA DE MALLORCA TO INTRODUCE CULINARY MEDITERRANEAN CITIES PROJECT
Mallorca's capital city, Palma, will introduce the Culinary Mediterranean Cities project in 2024 to entice luxury travellers. The initiative aims to highlight the city as a gastronomic hotspot and will offer travel agents a comprehensive toolkit to market the destination and its culinary credentials effectively. The United Kingdom stands as Palma's most significant source market, providing 30% of the city's overnight visitors, and the city aims to tap into the luxury travellers arriving to the island by creating unique and unforgettable experiences around gastronomy. Currently, Mallorca is home to eight Michelin-starred restaurants, and with five of them being in Palma, the tourism board is working on positioning and promoting the city at the forefront of Mediterranean gastronomic traditions.
CALVIA REINFORCES ITS YEAR-ROUND TOURISM STRATEGY AND OUTLINES DESTINATION ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS
The Mallorcan municipality aims to reduce the reliance of tourism resorts including Illetes, Palmanova & Magaluf on the Summer season, through market segmentation, product development and collaboration between the public and private sectors. The first strategies will be the diversification of tourist products, the repositioning of the Calvià brand, improving infrastructure and maximising the use of beaches and sports and cultural spaces throughout the year. An example is the initiative aiming to reuse 100% of the water from hotel establishments to irrigate farmland and green areas. The agreement, signed between the public company Calviá2000 and St Regis Mardavall in August 2023, will mean saving over 16 million litres of drinking water per year and is an excellent example of public-private collaboration. The collaboration is expected to be expanded to other establishments to irrigate gardens, agricultural areas, and golf courses, preserving a significant quantity of drinking water from the public water system.
A considerable effort has also been applied to improving beaches, both in terms of environmental health and in the maintenance and improvement of services. Calvià was recently awarded 15 Q flags for the quality of its beaches - the highest number out of any municipality in the Balearic Islands and third highest in all of Spain.
FORMENTERA IS COMMITTED TO GAINING STARLIGHT TOURIST DESTINATION RECOGNITION
In 2023, Formentera committed to the Starlight Foundation's 'Declaration in Defence of the Night Sky and Right to Starlight', which entailed implementing policies to control light pollution. Formentera's exceptional landscapes and low light pollution make the island one of the best places in the world to go stargazing. Now turning its focus towards gaining UNESCO recognition as a Starlight Tourist Destination, the island hopes to attract those interested in astronomy – both experts and amateurs – as well as to support the protection of the island's natural environment.
Some of the best spots on the island to gaze at the stars and planets include the beautiful beaches in the Barbaria area, where visitors can find the well-known Lighthouse of Cap de Barbaria and Torre des Garroveret - where there is almost no light pollution. As the highest point on the island, the Lighthouse of La Mola is ideal for enjoying both a fantastic view of the stars and views of the island itself.
NEW HOTEL OPENINGS
FOUR SEASONS MALLORCA AT FORMENTOR
Located on the breathtaking Formentor Peninsula with stunning views over the Mediterranean, the former Hotel Formentor will be transformed into the exquisite Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor. The iconic luxury brand will present a total of 110 meticulously renovated rooms and suites, upholding high sustainability standards to protect the pristine natural environment. Positioned just an hour's drive from Palma de Mallorca Airport, the exciting project promises an all-encompassing experience, including a diverse culinary scene, seaside adventures on an unspoiled beach, and even an on-site vineyard, all within a backdrop of beauty and luxury.
https://mallorcaformentor.com/en/four-seasons-resort-mallorca-at-formentor
HYDE IBIZA HOTEL
Following an eight-week pre-season in Summer 2023, Hyde Ibiza will officially open its doors on the waterfront in Cala Llonga in Spring 2024. The boho-chic establishment promises visitors an unforgettable stay where the island's vibrant nightlife meets upscale comfort. Featuring 401 rooms including suites with private terraces designed by Spanish studios Beades and Cuarto Interior, the hotel will boast an impressive wellness and culinary offering, in addition to musical entertainment at its poolside cocktail bar. book.ennismore.com/hotels/hyde/ibiza
MONDRIAN IBIZA
Sharing the same six dining spaces as Hyde Ibiza, the five-star Mondrian Ibiza is also slated for an official inauguration in 2024. This luxury hotel seamlessly combines elements of art, design, and culture and stands adjacent to Hyde Ibiza by the sea, featuring 154 rooms and suites and two swimming pools. https://book.ennismore.com/hotels/mondrian/ibiza
LOS FELICES IBIZA
One of the most exciting new openings on the White Island in 2024 will be Los Felices Ibiza, a 'Palm Springs' inspired hotel dedicated to the world of fashion, where each suite will be dedicated to a different designer. Beyond its unique suites, the hotel - located in the popular area of San Antonio - will have a stunning outside pool, a trendy restaurant, a club, and a boutique where guests will be able to buy fashion magazines, books and more. www.theconcepthotels.com/hotels/ibiza/los-felices
THB NAECO IBIZA HOTEL
San Antonio in Ibiza will welcome a new adults-only hotel just a 3-minute walk from Es Pouet Beach, which will be the largest in San Antonio Bay. The hotel, which will open its doors in Spring 2024, will feature an outdoor pool, a bar, several patios, and the La Terraza Naeco Restauant serving a curated menu of delicious Mediterranean dishes and international cuisine. www.thbhotels.com/en/hotel-naeco-ibiza-san-antoni
MANDARIN ORIENTAL PUNTA NEGRA (2025)
The Mandarin Oriental Group is set to open a new 131-key beach resort in Mallorca in 2025. The hotel, created by Spanish architect firm HKS, will be located in Calvia occupying three hectares, including gardens and impressive clifftops. The 131 rooms, 44 suites and 9 bungalows will have access to world-class facilities including Mandarin Oriental's signature Spa, with an indoor swimming pool, as well as three outdoor pools and a children's club.
HOTEL UPDATES
FERGUS GROUP TO CONVERT THE BH MALLORCA IN MAGALUF INTO THREE HOTELS
The BH Mallorca**** in Magaluf is currently undergoing extensive renovations and will be rebranded into three hotels under the Fergus Group, set to launch in Spring/Summer 2024.
- Fergus BH Mallorca Waterpark
Fergus BH Mallorca Waterpark will offer all-inclusive accommodation for the whole family. The hotel will offer access to its waterpark, an impressive outdoor gym, and a newly refurbished island beach club. With this new direction, Fergus BH Mallorca Resort will provide a fun and comfortable experience for families. www.fergushotels.com/en/HotelBhMallorcaResortAffiliatedByFergus/
- Tent Mojito Calvia Beach, Mallorca
Tent Mojito Calvia Beach will reopen with an exciting new B&UB concept – bed and unlimited brunch, a novel holiday concept created by Tent to enable guests to fully embrace the destination. In addition to unlimited brunch, the hotel will feature a fully equipped gym, a stylish swimming pool and a serene hammock area. www.tenthotels.com/en/tentCalviaBeach/
- Tent Mojito Suites, Mallorca
The old BH Mallorca Apartments will reopen as the new Tent Mojito Suites in Calvia. This retreat will also allow guests to experience the pioneering B&UB (Bed & Unlimited Brunch) service. Amenities include a refreshing pool, a sun-drenched sundeck, a 24-hour laundry service, a well-equipped gym, and the flexibility of ordering food for delivery through Tentlivery. https://www.tenthotels.com/en/tent-mojito-suites/
MELIÀ SOUTH BEACH, MALLORCA
Located on the beautiful island of Mallorca in the Calvià area, this iconic hotel will undergo a refurbishment of their rooms, suites and common areas, offering an updated and stylish design with a blend of modern comfort and Mediterranean charm. The hotel has a prime beachfront location and luxurious amenities, including 24h gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, kids club and many more.
www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/majorca/melia-south-beach
TUI SUNEO PLATJA D'OR, MALLORCA
The Platja D'Or Hotel will re-open in Summer 2024 following an exciting makeover under the TUI SUNEO family, changing its name to TUI SUNEO Platja d'Or and becoming the brand's first adult-only hotel. With a desirable location just a few minutes away from the popular Playa de Muro, the hotel will be equipped with an outdoor pool, and extensive entertainment options for both day and nighttime.
www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/majorca/alcudia/hotels/hotel-platja-dor.html
CAN LLUC, IBIZA
Can Lluc, a luxurious rural boutique hotel in the heart of Ibiza, has introduced eight new Mediterranean Garden Villas and two Grand Suites with Private Pools to their impressive 25-acre estate near Sant Rafael, surrounded by olive groves, pine forests, and fragrant jasmine gardens. Also added to Can Lluc's portfolio are two new Grand Suites with Private Pools, a 180m2 fully equipped spacious house with a king-sized bed, living room, fireplace, connecting second bedroom for children, bathroom with jacuzzi, kitchen, private patio with outdoor shower, and large garden-surrounded terrace with private swimming pool. www.canlluc.com/en
-ENDS-
The Balearic Islands tourism board is represented in the UK by LOTUS. For more information or to arrange a meeting at World Travel Market, please contact balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk
For information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit www.illesbalears.travel
