Menorca | English pages

Sun, sea and sand remain the island's main attractions

Half those questioned gave these as their reason for choosing Menorca

Beaches. Still the island's main draw

C.M.W.Maó02/08/10 0:00

The traditional sun, sea and sand style of holiday is still the main reason for tourists choosing the island for their holidays, according to a recent survey carried out by Gadeso, with 48.9% listing this as the island's major attraction. However, the level of satisfaction amongst holidaymakers has dropped slightly compared to last year with the number of people returning to the island dropping by 3% (36.2% to 33.2%) and those thinking of holidaying here again also down, by 3.8% (34% to 30.2%).

Whilst 33.2% came because they had holidayed here previously and 19.2% on the recommendation of friends, only 7.8% chose the island as a result of a suggestion by travel agents.

According to those surveyed, the island's weak points include a lack of complementary activities, especially on the entertainment side and for families. There were also comments on how few low-cost companies operate here.

On the positive side was the fact that the island is a Biosphere Reserve and respects its natural resources.

The survey also contains a section on all-inclusive holidays, an option that has increased greatly in recent years. Some 64% of tourists questioned in this area had booked an all-inclusive for the first time and more than half said they would do so again.

Busy week at airport

Between 29th July and 4th August, Menorca airport was expecting 126,403 passengers, an increase of 14,038 (12.4%) on the same week last year.

According to AENA's figures, more aircraft were also due, the total of 1,048 being an increase of 15.6% on 2009.

The busiest days for the airport were expected to be Sunday (23,166 passengers and 192 aircraft) and Friday (23,078 and 176), all the figures being higher than last year.