Editorial: Winter tourists

Believe it or not the summer season is rapidly coming to an end and members of the tourist industry are turning their attention to the winter season. I attended an official event earlier this month and a senior member of the tourist industry called on the Balearic President Jose Ramon Bauza, who was present, to make Majorca an all year around holiday destination. The official said that with the island´s amazing golfing facilities Majorca should be promoted across the globe 12 months a year. And ofcourse he is right. Despite assurances that the lack of winter tourists would be addressed the Balearic Government have done little. The Palma City Council meanwhile have done their homework and they have been busy promoting Palma as a winter getaway holiday destination. Unfortunately, we are back to the usual problem. The lack of flights. I am reliably informed that there are more flights this winter with one British tour firm planning a limited winter programme to the island aimed especially at hikers and cyclists in the north of the island. This is obviously a step in the right direction and hopefully other tour firms will follow their lead. But really the Balearic Government needs to get  its act together. Too many hollow promises. Those of us who live on the island know that Majorca could easily be an all year holiday destination like it was in years gone by. Unfortunately, it just needs some imagination and some promotion across the globe.