Balearics expecting German boom this winter

A greater presence in German tourism in the Balearics during the winter season was forecast yesterday by the Balearic Minister for Tourism, Joan Flaquer. He attributed an improvement in levels of tourism this summer to the fact that “there is a sensation within the German market that the Balearic islands are backing investment in tourism”. “For the next Winter, we have good news from tour operators and travel agents. We anticipate a better Winter” than last season confirmed the Minister at a Press conference. Flaquer stated that he was surprised by “the use of figures” that had been made by his predecessor, Celestí Alomar, to convince the media that German tourism would begin to recuperate at the beginning of 2003. “It is a completely false statement”, declared the Minister, who signalled that in the first six months of this year, the numbers of German visitors decreased by 2.6 percent when compared to the same period in 2002. The state of affairs was viewed as “very difficult” seeing as the previous year had resulted so negatively for tourism. In his view, apart from the favourable impression created in Germany by the change of government in the Balearic Islands, the improvement registered in the current high season is owed to cut-price offers made by travel agents.
K Colonia
San Pedro forest fire
Fire fighters with aerial suppport from the Ibanat flying fire fighters were yesterday evening battling a forest fire near Puig Farrutx in Arta.
The fire was reported just before 5.30pm and three fire brigades rushed to the scene.
How extensive the fire was could not be confirmed, but a huge thick column of smoke could be seen from miles away.