The report indicates that an 11% depreciation in the value of the pound in the space of a fortnight will directly affect British visitors' spending power. The consequent loss of revenue will be particularly difficult for the Balearics and the Canaries, given that British tourists provide a quarter of hotel business.
Meanwhile, on Thursday there was a convening of the Tourism Advisory Council which brought together the Balearic government and others, including representatives of UK tour operators. Tourism minister Biel Barceló noted the findings of a different report - from market researchers GfK Insights - which show a 25% increase in value from British bookings between June and September: an additional 168 million euros and over 140,000 more passengers.
The short term, therefore, looks very good, but Barceló added that efforts at November's World Travel Market in London will be beefed up. Promotion will be enhanced by the Balearics having its own stand (rather than being part of Turespaña's), while there will be specific meetings with tour operators to analyse the impact of Brexit. Without detailing what other promotional efforts there are to be, Barceló said that "actions" will be taken. There is to be a study of British tourist travel habits in introducing new means of attracting visitors, while a PR firm in the UK is to be taken on. The minister indicated that there will be specific efforts on behalf of Minorca, which has a greater percentage reliance on British tourism than the other islands.
Although the government will be keeping a close watch on the effects of the fall in the pound, Barceló noted that depreciation against the euro has occurred previously in the past ten years and the number of British tourists has continued to increase.
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Thank you Steve and Bill. I put the website together because I am a historian who enjoys the island's unique history. I thought others might like to enjoy it too. A website was more viable than a book. It has connected me to Mallorca and hopefully it connects others too. I just write in the language of the tourist rather than the language of the local.
Andy. It's a good site you've done with Ian, - I've added the link on my site www.palmanovastudios.com.
Andy, i'll complement your website too and applaud you for being a pioneer. Never expect support or encouragement from govt when you're doing something better than they are/shouldbe doing. Just work hard at good content and a moneytisation strategy so can maintain success. I'll give it a plug in Scotland through my channels
Thank you Simon. Appreciated.
The vast majority of residents also want a 30 hour working week, two months paid holiday and no tourists on their beaches on Saturdays and Sundays.
Just please stop whinging about the Tourist Tax. It's here, and it's staying. Why? because the vast majority of residents want it, and the vast majority of tourists don't really give a flying feck. Both of these points have proven to be correct.Deal with it.
Andy, well here's one from me. Excellent articles full of interesting snippets. Keep up the good work. You never know, one day you may be invited to a meeting in the Teatro Principal.
I have been promoting the better side of Mallorca in English for five years with my website www.mallorcadaysout.com. Not a penny from the government and not even any acknowledgement. I never expected any but my effort fares better than some of the attempts like Visit Calvia.
Oops !Travel firm based in Palma just gone bust due to brexit & exchange rate.Better commission another survey mate!
No point on a "jolly" to London. Spend it instead on a decent all-encompassing website for tourists, in many languages and with up-to-date information on events and forthcoming festivities etc. and then add links for tourists to click and book tickets and hotels etc. These trips for low-performing tourism chiefs bring little return other than a nice little trip for them. Get where the real world and the money and interest is - online. Official online promotion for Mallorca is pitiful.