Caves of Drach, an all-year attraction. | Photo: MDB
Andrew EdePere CerónPalma14/10/2026 10:47
The Balearic Association of Tourism Activities (ABACTUR) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this Thursday. Its president, Rafael Durán, explains that this is a very diverse sector, ranging from excursions and helicopter flights to cultural, heritage and gastronomic activities. "What unites us is the experiences we offer those who visit our islands." The association represents operators of attractions in Mallorca and the Balearics, around forty of them.
Ahead of the event at Jardines de Alfábia to celebrate the anniversary, Durán met with President Prohens. One of the key issues he raised the was the need to extend the season. "It is not just about keeping businesses open; it is also about lengthening employment periods and offering greater stability to workers. That is why we proposed looking into incentives for companies that remain open year-round.
"We also asked for official tourist spending statistics to better distinguish between different activities and experiences. Currently, the Egatur survey groups us into overly broad categories alongside other leisure spending. We want to understand our true economic contribution. Finally, we requested cooperation from the authorities to improve and modernise our facilities. We are a diverse group of companies subject to different regulations, yet we all contribute to the Balearic Islands' appeal as a tourist destination. We believe there should be ways to support these investments."
Like other businesses in the complementary sector, e.g. restaurants, the attractions are highly susceptible to shifts in tourist spending. Durán says 2024 was "extraordinary, likely one of our best years, still driven by the post-pandemic urge to travel". But in 2025 there was a slight decline, while performance this year has been uneven. "In Mallorca, we managed to maintain activity levels, despite the constraints of shorter stays and changes in how products are sold. In Menorca, however, there has been a drop. High temperatures in June and July particularly hurt outdoor activities. August allowed us to recover some of that activity, and September and October have been very good."
There are more tourists this year and the spending, according to the statistics, is breaking records, but he says this doesn't necessarily reach the attractions' operators.
"More tourists doesn't mean they stay longer. We might have more visitors, but with shorter stays. Additionally, rising transport and accommodation costs reduce the budget available for other activities. When any of us plans a holiday, we have a set amount of money to spend - an amount that hasn't kept pace with rising prices. This is noticeable in excursions, experiences, and souvenir shopping. July was particularly unusual, seeing a very clear drop in spending. The situation improved later on. For our sector, the best months aren't necessarily the ones with the highest number of tourists: May, June, September and October tend to be the most important."
He raised seasonality with the president and argues that his sector is a force for tackling it. "Some activities clearly can't take place during the winter months, but approximately 50% of our members remain open year-round. This means that visitors to the Balearics outside of peak season can find experiences and activities that complement the traditional 'sun and beach' offering. Visitors can explore heritage sites, monuments, gardens, and attractions such as the Palma Aquarium and the Caves of Drach or Arta. The Tramuntana Mountains are a major draw. However, while we can keep our establishments open, sustaining operations becomes difficult if visitors do not arrive. Extending the season requires a coordinated approach across the entire tourism offering."