MAJORCA´S ACE

By Humphrey Carter THE Russian former tennis star and model Anna Kournikova served up a real match winner for the Balearics at the ITB Berlin travel fair yesterday. Kournikova was in Berlin to help promote the Mallorca Classic 2006 PGA golf tournament, and the islands in general. Her appearance certainly had the desired effect with the German media fighting for space at the Balearic stand. Kournikova, flanked by the Balearic president Jaume Matas and Tourism Minister Joan Flaquer, thanked the Balearic government for inviting her to be the region's new tourism ambassador. The Russian sports star said that, while she has had the opportunity to travel all over the world, visiting many different places and experiencing different cultures “very few places (the Balearics) have had such a pleasant and enjoyable impact on me.” Kournikova has used the Balearics, Majorca in particular, both to train and holiday over the years. “Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera are the most beautiful places in the world; each island has its own personality and attraction. “Heading to the Balearics to play some golf is a pleasure of mine, its 21 courses are excellent and all very close together,” she told hundreds of people at the packed Balearic stand. “October 19 to 22 is going to the perfect time to visit the Balearics to enjoy watching some of the best golf in Europe in a pleasant environment,” she added referring to the Mallorca Classic 2006. The leading sporting personality also praised the Tarjeta verde green card initiative which entitles card holders to a wide range of discounts and advantages across the region. Matas hailed the success of the golf tournament which last year received some 500 hours of tv air time “and was broadcast to over 400 million homes across the globe. The publicity the tournament generates for the Balearics is priceless,” he added.