Dear Sir,
I was interested to read the recent correspondence about the increasing preponderance of all-inclusive holidays. I'm from the UK and have been visiting the island for more years than I care to remember. It dismays me to read that more and more hotels are going down this route. Already I feel sad for the shop, bar and restaurant owners sitting outside their properties day after day with barely a customer to serve. Majorca is a tourist destination, that is its business and it loses it at its peril. While all-inclusive will attract people, particularly in these recessionary times, it is so short-sighted. Surrounding businesses will fail, and then people WILL stop coming. Who wants to walk around in the sunshine in a ghost town?
The point about other destinations advertising on British TV was pertinent. I found myself attracted to Malta simply because the advert depicted a place that reminded me of the old Majorca, a place where people are genuinely welcoming, where there is a lack of cynicism, where they seek to cater to all tastes and share their beautiful island with those of us lucky enough to be able to visit.
My plea is that the Majorca Tourism organisations think long term, for without tourists the island will wither.
Jan China
Tyneside, UK
Dear Sir,
I am in complete agreement with Dean Harding's letter to the editor citing the ridiculous laws in the Balearics that prohibit private holiday rentals'. It appears that the Balearics are the only region in Europe that enforce this outdated law, and any flouting results in a 30'000 EU fine. We own property in France and have no problems in renting out our home, and these rentals contribute not only to the local community by way of supermarkets, car hire, restaurants etc, but add a dimension to the local property market. We had friends who used to let out' their luxury apartment via a website, however ultimately were intimidated by the draconian laws that exist in Majorca, subsequently they have ceased to let it out (this apartment was rented out 6 months out of the year, with care and consideration to neighbours) and have now decided to sell up and move elsewhere as keeping the apartment was no longer economically viable. The clientele who rented their property were mainly professional small families or couples who spent large sums within the local and national community, ie car hire, beach clubs, restaurants etc. The Balearics and in particular Majorca need to put an end to this, as this will also increase the sales within the property market as many younger purchasers do not have the time to visit as often as they like and in these days of austerity, everyone (even the rich) are looking for a return on their investment. Alas it is the strong power that the hotel unions wield that put a stop to any change, I say it is time for these dinosaurs to face up to the modern world and allow all sectors on the beautiful island of Majorca to benefit.
Michael
London
No comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Currently there are no comments.