Tourist tax
Mixed reaction to the introduction of the controversial new levy
“If large Balearic hotel chains can be distributed worldwide and be in countries, 80% of which have some form of tax, why do they object in their homeland?”
Tourism
More than one million cruise ship passengers
The Balearic contribution of passenger numbers of ship arrivals was in the region of one-third of August’s total for the whole of Spain.
Politics
Armengol calls for a united front
Armengol stressed the importance of there being a clear sense of unity in appealing for greater financial resources from the state.
Animal welfare
Bullfighting ban moves closer
This will be done despite the central government having declared bullfights to be in the “cultural interest of Spain”.
Weather
Mediterranean storms will become more intense
Medicanes are a rare type of cyclone with similarities to that in the tropics.
Politics
Growing sentiment in favour of reduced regional autonomy
This wave of centralisation sentiment is also reflected in responses to questions regarding identity.
Economy
Economic growth from tourism well above other growth
The GDP contribution from tourism rose by almost 3% to 12,000 million euros, the fourth consecutive year of growth.
Environment
Tramuntana marine reserve needed to protect fish stocks
The federation believes that one reason for the serious problem with fishing stocks is over-exploitation.
Environment
Political unanimity sought against oil prospecting
The pressure groups believe that unanimous approval by all parties is fundamental in obtaining a ban on prospecting.
Tourist tax and dog mess: the week in the Bulletin
That tax was once more a feature of the week, as were the hardy perennials of the weather and dog mess, while a somewhat unexpected twist on the summer rentals story loomed into view.
Employment
Balearic unemployment went up in September
Across Spain as a whole, unemployment was up in September by 0.64%, giving a total unemployed figure of 4,094,042.
Property
Balearics is the most popular for foreign home buying
According to the Spanish Association of Property Registrars, 12.5% of all home buying over the first half of 2015 was that of foreign purchasers.
Tax
Tax penalties for property only rented in the summer
"This should be regulated. We must find ways of preventing this situation..."
Tax
Car-rental agencies to resume paying taxes in the Balearics
Negotiations with the new government over re-registering with municipalities in the Balearics.
Education
Urgent measures introduced for school meals in Balearics
Next year there will be a significant increase in the budget for school meals.
Retail
Steady increase in Balearic retail sales
This was the fifth highest regional growth in the country, Valencia having been out in front with 6.1%.
Tourism
A quarter of all tourist spend in August was in the Balearics
The survey suggests that the Balearics was the region of Spain that attracted most tourist spending in August - 2,364 million euros.
Society
Proud to be from the Balearics and Spain; new survey
When asked about identity with the Balearics as opposed to their own individual islands or the “Catalan Lands,” 63% of Majorcans identify with the island, 35% with the Balearics and a mere 2% with the Catalan Lands.
Tourist tax
Tourist tax: “It is a small price to pay for a better Majorca...”
“As I said earlier it is a small charge; (1.7 percent of the cost of a holiday), children will not pay and also it will not be charged on a daily basis so that long-stay tourists do not pay more.”
Tourism
Some clarity on the tourist tax, but not enough
Barceló wants everyone to work together. He’s got a hell of a job convincing them.
- Spain wants Britons to show they have 113.40 euros, £97, per day for their holidays
- Sunloungers set ablaze in Alcudia
- Spanish pensioners stuck at Palma Airport for fourteen hours
- Over two hours for Britons to get through Palma airport queues
- Palma Airport passport control "collapse" put down to unscheduled flights