THE SAME OLD STORY

By Jason Moore “MY government is going to attempt to boost the tourist industry by trying to persuade shops to open at the weekends so that more tourists can come down on get-away weekend breaks. Also, we are going to actively encourage the industry to promote other aspects of Majorca rather than just sand, sea and sun.” That was the message I was hoping to hear from new Balearic leader Francesc Antich, but no. He made the same speech as every Balearic leader for the last 24 years when it comes to tourism; our model is beach tourism; end of story. When are the local authorities going to learn that the days of millions of tourists coming to the island on package deals are over? Thankfully, we have a forward thinking hotel industry which is adapting with the market but as usual the local authorities are stuck in the days long gone. According to Antich children in state schools are also going to be taught languages; yes English and German would be a good idea, because we must remember that 50 percent of all holidaymakers to these islands are German and all the major tour operators are also owned by German companies who also own a far share of hotels, travel agents, airlines as well.