Figures from the tourism ministry show the current extent of holiday rental accommodation in villages in Majorca's interior. Heading the list in terms of number of places is Algaida with 796. Not far behind is Sineu with 726 and Sencelles with 724. Even the smallest of villages are registering reasonable numbers. Ariany has a regular population of under 1,000 but has 385 places.
For local businesses, such as Restaurant Can Salom in Petra (where there are 672 rentals' places), it's good news. The tables are full each day. At the Restaurant s'Estanc Vell in Vilafranca there has been a notable increase in the number of tourists. Restaurants in other villages are also viewing the holiday rentals' market positively.
The significance of holiday rentals is obvious. These villages typically have low numbers of hotel places. In the case of Sant Joan (with 352 rentals' places), there isn't a single hotel place.
The ministry's figures do, however, vary from ones issued at the start of the year. They were provided by the association of holiday rentals' villas (a different body to Aptur) and the hoteliers' association in Pollensa. In Pollensa there are more licensed rentals' places than hotel places.
This other set of figures showed, for example, that Selva had just over 1,000 places and that Sa Pobla had 861. By contrast and respectively, the hotel places were 238 and 39.
Why the discrepancy therefore? It is always possible that these other figures include unlicensed rentals, but the villas' association pointed out that it has nothing to do with apartments. Villas and houses are generally not an issue where rentals' legality - licensing and registration - is concerned.
Whatever the reason for the difference, it has been apparent over recent years that there has been a drive to increase holiday rentals' places in the villages. In Sa Pobla, for instance, this has been a strategic and coordinated approach by the town hall. And the villages may well benefit more from the Council of Majorca's zoning. Although it hasn't stated this as specific policy, it is understood that the interior may be looked on favourably.
While the benefits to the local economies are clear, there can also be drawbacks. Selva town hall has been one to refer to these. Increased population, even of a temporary nature, puts greater pressure on services and infrastructure.
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NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!!!! Make up your mind Mallorcan Local Government --Last Year you were banging on about Private Rentals taking ALL the business away from Hotels when really Private Rentals -HELP the local businesses with the double increase in TOURIST Tax next year I think it will be a disaster for Tourist Numbers as many people will refuse to holiday on the island due to this extortion!!!
No s^|t Sherlock ! Also the resorts need them desperately, wake up you left wing loons ! Stop comparing the whole island to Palma I would say the resorts need more tourists not less !
No amazing discovery here. Private holiday rentals benefit the local economy of wherever they are of course, not just ssmall villages. This is why the new tourist laws (now being reconsidered regarding their legality in our society by by higher governing authorites, which could go to the tribunals still) is a big mistake, and at the end of next season we'll witness many small businesses closing. A lot more unemployment, and a lot less revenue collected in taxes with which to pay increased benefits. Going forwards the resorts will start to become less attractive even for the all-inclusive tourists, many of which enjoy venturing out to find more edible food, socialise, enjoy their favourite drinks and to watch sports etc. on UK TV. This will mean that Barceló's chums in turn will also lose out. Well done Barceló, nice one !