Things didn't exactly go to plan for the Balearics at the World Travel Market tourism fair in London last week. The official delegation left last weekend reminding everyone that they would be promoting low-season tourism to Majorca "because the peak season sold itself" and to some extent this is true. Majorca can't grow any more in the summer, the Balearic government confidently said. But on day one of the World Travel Market there were rumours circulating around the Balearic stand about Turkey and its plan to steal thousands of tourists away from the Balearics with cheap offers. President Francina Armengol said she wasn't concerned. On day two the Turkey story wasn't going away, with hoteliers saying they were worried. And then day three and the bombshell: hoteliers claimed that the islands could lose one million tourists next year because of the increase in the rate of the tourist tax.
The London plan went wrong?
12/11/2017 00:00
6 comments
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Of course it went wrong every thing Barcelo does is wrong !! Get this man out before me and many others end up bankrupt !!! Just one look at the pole and any normal person would think oops I've got it wrong !!! Time to go Barcelo before you waste any more tax payers money to ruin their lives and businesses !!! Give up now you was never cut out for the job in the first place.......
A large amount of Mallorca's summer visitors at the moment are mass market tourists, heading for two weeks of sunshine in a three star hotel, as such, these people are very price sensitive. While Mallorca's hoteliers are bumping the prices up, and Mallorca's politicians are increasing tax on tourists, Turkey is bending over backwards to rebuild it's tourist industry, and is ultra competitive on price, they are rumoured to be considering a competitive devaluation of the Lira to attract more visitors, while it's hotels are much newer and often better equipped. One million sounds like a lot, and it is of course, but it's only about 10% of the annual visitors to Mallorca, so it's not unfeasible.
Well,as much as we like Majorca, I think that we will be"voting with our feet"next year. We will probably go to mainland Spain!
Tourist Tax ? It should be renamed as the tax is also charged to Mallorcan residents staying in Mallorcan hotels. When I go to another part of the island for a couple of days break, I too have to pay the tax, which doesn´t seem quite right to me as I pay my income tax here.
oops - previous comment said tourist tax 'is' not isn't' well known about in UK - vital difference
My thoughts from the UK. Re tourist tax - charged on a weekend break for a couple or group of adults this would be less of an issue, as far as I can see its mostly charged on city breaks. For a traditional 2 week break for a family it is a consideration. At present the existence of this tax is widely known about in the UK but experienced once I'd imagine it would be taken into account in any future plans. For me the big issue is hotel cost. It's becoming pretty pricey for a traditional family holiday tourist tax or not. My preference anyway is for an apartment for a traditional 2 week family holiday and if this isn't an option I'd look to other countries in the med which are equally attractive. I'm not looking for the cheapest possible holiday but the good old ''value for money''. Even if it was less expensive the big glossy type of hotel wouldn't be my choice. As an aside any potential visitor reading this site would probably immediately dismiss Majorca as a destination given the feelings discussed here re tourism.