The average daily maximum number of cruise passengers in Palma will drop from 8,500 to 7,500 during peak season

PalmThe Balearic Government and Palma City Council have reached a strategic agreement with the main cruise lines operating in Palma, whereby the maximum daily average of cruise passengers will be reduced from 8,500 to 7,500. This reduction, formalized through a new memorandum of understanding, will only affect the peak season months, from June to September, in 2027, 2028, and 2029. The agreement was signed this Friday morning by the President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, the Mayor of Palma, and representatives from the cruise lines. The new agreement maintains the one signed by the government of Francina Armengol in 2022, which set a maximum of three cruise ships in the port of Palma, one of which may have a capacity exceeding 5,000 passengers.

Regarding the reduction of seasonality and the management of tourist flows, the text provides, among other measures, for the creation of a joint governance commission that will meet at least twice a year. It will be composed of representatives from the signatory parties, as well as from the local cruise ecosystem, including, where appropriate, destination management bodies and other relevant public or private stakeholders.

Other measures will be aimed at promoting the geographical redistribution of cruise tourists in Mallorca, and to this end, the entities have committed to commissioning an independent study on their geospatial behavior and to working on identifying and promoting alternative destinations. With the aim of "moving towards reducing seasonality," a new criterion has also been established for the high season, from June to September, for the years 2027, 2028, and 2029. Thus, during these months, the average daily occupancy on a weekly basis will decrease from 8,500 to 7,500 low-cost beds.

Small businesses reject the new cruise ship limit in Palma

The Mallorca Small and Medium Business Association (Pimeco) has rejected the new agreement between the Balearic Government and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to limit cruise ship arrivals in Palma, arguing that it "penalizes commerce" and hinders efforts to reduce seasonality. In a statement, the association asserts that the new weekly cap adds rigidity to port operations and could discourage cruise lines, which plan itineraries well in advance and prioritize ports with greater flexibility. They warn that if the established limit is reached, companies could divert calls to other destinations. The association also cautions that freezing capacity during peak season reduces the margin for redistributing cruises to the off-season. Furthermore, they maintain that there is no widespread saturation during the height of summer and that further restricting this activity could harm commerce, restaurants, transportation, and employment. Therefore, they demand a "clear and coherent" message, reiterate their desire for year-round cruises, and ask cruise lines to continue choosing Palma as a port of call.