The businessmen of Formentera have raised their voices to ask that efforts to deseasonalize tourism focus on extending the season towards the end of October and beginning of November, leaving aside the possibility of bringing forward the start of the season to March or April. According to the president of Pimeef in Formentera, Pep Mayans, in dialogue with Radio Ibiza, this strategy responds to the particularities of the destination, where the climate and the limited hotel offer outside the summer are determining factors.
October, a key month for the local economy
The president of the employers’ association has pointed out that the results of October this year have been worrying, with lower tourist arrivals that have had a negative impact on the annual profitability of many businesses. “We will have to analyze the causes of the low influx on those dates, but what is clear is that October is crucial for measuring the economic sustainability of local businesses,” Mayans said. From his point of view, the priority should be to keep establishments open and with optimum occupancy levels during the fall, instead of trying to bring forward the start of the campaign to months like March or April, when air connectivity and hotel supply are still limited.
Climate, an essential factor
Mayans stressed that the climate is a key element in attracting tourists to Formentera. Unlike Ibiza, which has begun to consolidate seasons of up to seven months and aims to start in March, visitors do not perceive the smaller Pitiusa as an attractive destination during the first months of the year. “Our potential lies in extending the season towards the end, taking advantage of the good weather conditions in October and even some days in November,” he added. During the recent World Travel Market tourism fair, it was announced that airlines will start scheduling routes with Ibiza airport in April 2025, including up to seven connections with the United Kingdom. Although this news opens up possibilities for tourism on the islands, Formentera’s businessmen consider that the immediate focus should be on boosting the autumn months, when the existing offer is already prepared to receive tourists.
A strategic commitment to deseasonalization
Pimeef’s demand underlines the importance of designing specific strategies that respond to the unique characteristics of Formentera, avoiding copying models applied in other destinations. The extension of the season could be a sustainable response to maintain the island’s economic activity, always considering the current infrastructure needs and limitations.
