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A GROUP of small and medium-sized businesses in the north east of Majorca have asked the Spanish Ombudsman to step in and have all inclusive package holidays eliminated from island, spokesman Salvador Escrivá said yesterday. He was speaking after a meeting with Ramon Socías, the central government representative in the Balearics, to enlist his support in the campaign against the all inclusive holidays “which are causing serious financial problems. The group Escrivá was representing came mainly from Capdepera, Son Servera, Santa Margalida, Pollensa and Alcudia.
He pointed out that Balearic government legislation rules that all inclusive holidays can only be offered in establishments outside built-up areas.
He added that “free competition should not damage the interests of third parties,” and this situation should be contemplated by the courts.
COURT
However, he said that the group had no desire to take all inclusive establishments to court, all they wanted to do was to be able to continue working.
As a result they want a complete ban on the all inclusive deals in their municipalities.
He pointed out that 37 establishments in the two main streets of Cala Rajada (Capdepera) had been forced to close because of the increase in the all inclusive holiday, whereby tourists pay for all food, drink and entertainment before arriving, and so they seldom go out to local bars and restaurants when they arrive here. Escrivá said that their appeal had also been passed on to the central ministries of public administration, industry, tourism and commerce, and the Royal Household, which has asked to be kept informed of the situation. Socías explained that the Ombudsman is studying the matter.
Escriva criticised the attitude of Balearic tourist chief Joan Flaquer, who said recently that the all inclusive packages were in decline, when new establishments were opening. He was also criticised for allowing a type of tourism based on quantity and not quality to remain.
UNDER FIRE
Foreign tour operators also came under fire for supporting the all inclusive deals.
Socias expressed his support and said there should be specific regulations, adding that the islands are not formed by hoteliers and tour operators alone.