11/08/2004 00:00
TW
0
Staff Reporter DURING their 2003-2004 inspection campaign, the Balearic government has drawn up a list of 154 hotels on Majorca which offer the “all-inclusive” tourist package.

Joan Flaquer, regional Tourism minister speaking at a Press conference yesterday to present the government's preliminary findings, confirmed that investigators had also listed 16 apartments which had been operating under the same system.

Flaquer insisted that the government inspection had not as yet resulted in the imposition of any fines but said that the decision to set any appropriate proceedings in motion was a matter for the region's Legal department.

The minister gave assurances that the objective of the project was not a “witch hunt” but to establish an “across-the-board” standardised offer, in order that prospective clients know “exactly what to expect” from an all-inclusive holiday package. The norms and level of service can subsequently be incorporated in any advertising brochures and campaigns undertaken by the hotels. “The all-inclusive system is not flouting the law”, argued Flaquer. He nevertheless pointed out that the case of the apartments is different, as it is not within current legislation to offer this type of package outside hotel accommodation.

Flaquer revealed that 5 of the 16 arpartments for which official statements of non-compliance have been drawn up, have begun application to secure “aparthotel” status, in which case, he added, “yes, they would indeed be entitled to provide an all-inclusive service”. “It is the first time that the ministry inspection teams have carried out a specific control aimed at the “all-inclusive” system. During the term of office of the previous government, there was no agenda for carrying out these checks as such” Flaquer asserted.

Fixed penalties imposed by the Ministry for failing to comply with legislation can be of a light, heavy, or very heavy nature. The maximum fine which can be imposed is complete or partial closure of the hotel establishment, as well as a fine of 30'000 euros.

Apart from the control of the “all-inclusive” system, the inspection campaign of tourist establishments, which began in November 2003, is aimed at all sectors of the industry where offers made to clients fail to comply with current legislation.