Spain’s Balearics braced for bumper summer
The Director of Palma Airport announced this month that there will be 34 million flight seats available to the Balearics this holiday season, 9% more than in 2013. Agent Balearics Sotheby’s International Realty hopes improved accessibility will also boost the property market.
Daniel Chavarria Waschke, Managing Director of Balearics Sotheby's International Realty, with offices in Mallorca and Ibiza, explains, “The Balearics have the highest foreign resident population in the whole of Spain, 20.19% according to official figures for 2013, and the Islands are popular amongst a broad spectrum of nationalities from the British to the Germans, Italians to Americans. This nationality mix is what keeps our property market so resilient. Additional flight seats will be as popular amongst the Island’s foreign residents and second home owners as they will be with tourists.”
According to the Spanish Airport Authority (AENA), the UK is the biggest market for the Balearics, dominating in Ibiza and Menorca, and coming second only to the Germans in Mallorca. Brits are very loyal to the Islands with an annual increase in passenger numbers of 4.3% for Palma, 4.8% for Ibiza and 1.7% for Menorca. Of the 34 million seats available for summer 2014, 7.7 million are between the UK and the Balearics, up almost 10% on 2013. Ibiza is the Island to receive the greatest rise in demand.
Overall the Islands will connect to no less than 74 new destinations and all previous passenger records are expected to be broken. Palma Airport, the Islands’ largest, connects to 160 airports in 28 countries with the UK, Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland its key markets. Vueling has upped its operations the most, by 22%, followed by easyJet at 14% and Air Europa at 9.2%. Somewhat surprisingly Air Berlin has downsized.
Daniel finishes, “The Balearics offer an upmarket travel experience accompanied by stunning scenery and guaranteed warm weather throughout the long summer. We have 26 golf courses, many of which are world-class, several five star hotels including examples from Jumeirah, Barcelo and St Regis, gorgeous beach clubs from Nikki Beach to Blue Marlin and superyachts available for charter across chic marinas such as Marina Botafoch in Ibiza and Philippe Starck-designed Port Adriano in Mallorca. Add Spain’s new Golden Visa policy which offers residency to foreigners buying property with a minimum value of 500,000 euros and these tourists will surely become homeowners of the future.”
On the Market in Ibiza: Ref 6611, Villa in Roca Llisa, Santa Eulalia
Set within the gated golfing community of Roca Llisa, this stunning villa is just a ten minute drive from the vibrant town of Jesus, Ibiza Town, its marinas, and Talamanca beach. Boasting incredible 180 degree views of the Mediterranean from every room, the home has four bedrooms, two of them suites, as well as two separate guest apartments. A sauna, steam room and cinema room are on hand for leisure and wellbeing inside, whilst outside there is a lounge area with kitchen and barbecue, numerous terraces, a beautiful swimming pool and Jacuzzi, all set in lawned gardens.
Six bedrooms, Six bathrooms
Built area 500m², Plot size 1,261m²
Price 2.95 million euros (approx 2.42 million GBP)
For more information, visit ibiza-sothebysrealty.com.
On the Market in Mallorca: Ref 6578, Villa in Alaro
On the outskirts of the quaint countryside village of Alaro, this highly contemporary home is set against the backdrop of the twin mountains for which this area is famous. Accessed via a long drive surrounded by olive and almond trees, the property, completed in 2013, is carefully designed to combine traditional Mallorquin materials with modern glass and steel elements to stunning effect. At entrance level is a bright entrance hall, office with views of a small lemon and orange grove, a large living/dining area with beautiful terraces, open plan kitchen and an en suite guest bedroom. Upstairs is a large en suite master bedroom with dressing room and twin shower and designer bathtub, plus two additional en suite guest bedrooms. All rooms access a spacious terrace with panoramic views of the swimming pool, plot and surrounding landscape.
Four bedrooms, Four bathrooms
Built area 550m², Plot size 15,000m²
Price 4.5 million euros (approx 3.7 million GBP)
For more information, visit mallorca-sothebysrealty.com.
