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By Brett Gibbons

PALMA
FORECASTS of impending doom and gloom sentencing Majorca to a disastrous 2009 may be a little premature.
Several local businesses this week have optimistically hinted that the forthcoming year may not be as tragic as originally thought and some traders have even predicted we may all be pleasantly surprised by what 2009 brings to Majorca.

Transport, property and tourism experts have cautiously indicated that Majorca is winning the fight to remain as the favourite destination for Britons moving abroad or choosing their favourite holiday spot.

Bill Webb, boss of Calvia's Webb's Removals, is preparing for a busy start to the year. His order books are full of clients wanting to move away from the financial depression gripping the UK and set up a new home in Majorca.

Customers are also taking advantage of the pound's close parity with the single currency to purchase furniture and household goods from the UK and have them shipped back to Majorca in a bid to save cash. “I think we will all be pleasantly surprised with what the next few months have in store,” said Bill.
He forecast that the island's economic prospects would be no worse than the previous 12 months as sterling gradually claws back lost ground against the euro. “Lots of people are heading back to Britain and purchasing large household goods, especially furniture. “It is much cheaper for households to snap up some of the bargains on offer in the UK and have them transported to Majorca,” he explained.
Bill also said that the lure of Majorca as a place in the sun was still alive with UK families - despite the exchange rate problems and other financial woes.

He claimed his company was overwhelmed with bookings to help people relocate from the UK to a new life in Majorca. “We are working 12 hours a day, most days of the week, to organise moves from the UK to Majorca. “All our lorries are completed booked for the next few weeks bringing people out to the Balearics,” said Bill.
The transport boss said he was dealing with inquiries from all kinds of clients from families to senior citizens.