At a time when there has been a backlash against tourism in some parts of Spain, it might be a good idea to remind those responsible of the importance of tourism to the Spanish economy. In fact, it could be said that tourism is keeping the wolves from the door when it comes to the Spanish economy. In July this year Spain was visited by more than 10 million tourists who spent an average of 1,132 euros during their stay here. This was an increase of 5.6 per cent. Tourists alone spent almost 9,000 million euros in the Balearics. So, it is clear: without tourism Spain would struggle. In fact it has been suggested that tourists helped Spain recover from recession. Tourism is one of the principal industries in the country and it needs to be safeguarded not hampered in any way.
The importance of tourism
Palma06/09/2017 00:00
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Mallorquin people are against the number or rental cars in Palma. Even now in April-May all the parkings are full...it is impossible to live in the town. The government need to do something.
Geoff time to move back then to where you came from. Make one less alien to pollute the island and one less foreigner to upset the locals
Geoff - I totally agree about the plastic/rubbish problem BUT I see no evidence of the Balearic government instigating good environmental practise. Almost zero solar power, few policies for cutting use of plastic, or prevention of rubbish being discarded both on land and on sea, there is a basic recycling system but it's not properly widespread, and there seem very few fines effected when rubbish is dropped/dumped, not enough effort to remedy polluting road congestion, and all made worse by continual complaints about the tourism which is the financial lifeblood of the island.
A fellow writer once told me that reviews are like popcorn, you stuff as much in your mouth as possible. The same can be said about tourism and Mallorca but tourism at any cost? Today, like every morning, I cycle to Can Pastilla, swim for 30 minutes, each my breakfast on the beach and then just to kill a little time, collect seashells for my granddaughter. Today, there was no swimming and instead of collecting seashells, I collected garbage. All along the water line, plastic bottles, plastic bottle caps, condom packets, plastic straws and enough cigarette butts to kill an army. 50 litres in 100 meters. Do the math, that equates to 2500 litres of garbage from Can Pastilla to S'Arenal and as I cleared one section, more washed in. Now we know some of this floats across the Mediterranean from our African neighbours but much of this is 'self-inflicted' garbage. If you kill the golden goose, there will be no more 'good times'. For those of you who keep saying that we will regret trying to control tourism and that we can have our tiny island to ourselves, you clearly do not 'love' Mallorca because if you did and took the slightest interest in the environmental impact mass tourism is having, you would not make such ridiculous comments. If we do not start now (and perhaps now is already too late), there will be no more beautiful beaches, a clean sea to swim in and beautiful mountains to trek through. There will be no more Catalan and Castellano, it will be English and German instead. We need to find balance, we need a government that takes responsibility for Mallorca, not just now but in the future. If you want cheap booze and loose women go somewhere else. If you really do love Mallorca then start thinking about what Mallorca will be like ten years from now unless we start to repair the damage that has already been done. It's a great place to visit, it's a great place to live but tourism at any cost is far too higher price to pay.
My apologies Phil. My mistake. I do however stand by my assessment of the numerical abilities of this government.
Take off the Tourist Tax, and introduce a cyclist Tax. That will benefit everybody.
MelB - if you read the article it says 9000million spent in Balearics and Spain as a whole with an average of 1132€ pp - reporting and figures correct, reading interpretation wrong
"There are bad,hungry times coming and you only have yourselves to blame,still,at least you will have your little Island all to yourselves."Would that be post-Brexit Britain you are referring to, Henry?
According to my mathematics, 10 million tourists spending 9000 million euros equates to an average spend per tourist of 900 euros. Who provides the other 232 euros? Where do these figures come from? Probably the finance department of this numerically dyslexic government!
There are bad,hungry times coming and you only have yourselves to blame,still,at least you will have your little Island all to yourselves.