Mallorca has broken more tourist records, with visitor numbers hitting an all-time high yet again this year.Spain’s Balearic Islands have long been one of Europe’s most attractive and loved summer sun destinations. Holidaymakers from mainland Spain, along with the UK, Germany and Italy flock to the islands every year, craving their perfect balance of sun, sea and sandy beaches. Among Spanish residents, the Balearics come second only to Andalusia in terms of popular tourism destinations, accounting for 18 per cent of total bookings, according to HomeAway figures. Mallorca, in particular, has welcomed more visitors this year than ever before, with official statistics showing an increase of 2.9 per cent year-on-year during the first half of 2015 to a total of 9.54 million visitors. Both April and May saw passenger numbers reach record levels. The figures are good news for the island’s property market, as Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains: "More visitors arriving in Mallorca has had a positive impact on the island’s economy and has pushed up demand for second homes, with many of those who visit - myself included - falling in love with Mallorca almost on first sight."Indeed, with more visitors and holiday home sales booming, Mallorca is enjoying property prices rises of up to 10 to 15 per cent in some locations, according to one local estate agency. Apartments with outdoor space in good locations are the properties most in demand, advises Marc Pritchard, "Buyers want to enjoy the sunshine at home, as well as at the beach, so homes with well appointed terraces that offer space for sunbathing or for outdoor dining sell particularly well."

Two of Taylor Wimpey España’s most popular developments on the island are Cala Magrana III and Cala Anguila II. Individual apartments all have generous terraces and well considered views. For second home owners from the UK, access to Mallorca is set to get even easier from 2016 onward, with British airline Jet2 opening a new line between Manchester and Palma from February 2016, with up to three flights per week, and between Edinburgh and Palma, with two flights per week from March. Will the new flights contribute to further price increases on the island? "It’s certainly possible," concludes Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard. "If demand continues at this level I think we can look forward to prices continuing to rise over the months and years ahead."