The Mallorca Hoteliers Federation has announced that 26% of hotels affiliated to the federation will be open in February and that this will rise to 42% in March - 344 establishments with some 150,000 beds.
Gabriel Escarrer, the CEO of Meliá Hotels International, observes that there is a clear objective - "being able to have a season as close as possible to nine months, which will benefit companies and workers".
The general secretary of the UGT-Services union in the Balearics, José García, confirms that there has been an increase in recruitment. "This will make this season as long as possible, with an addition in the number of employees with 'fijo discontinuo' contracts because of the approval of the labour reform."
While he accepts that the evolution of the pandemic could affect the situation between now and Easter, the hoteliers highlight another factor - Spain's requirement for UK children from the age of 12 to have Covid passport proof of double vaccination. Escarrer says that this is having a negative impact in the Canaries. However, he trusts that "this issue will be resolved and that it will not harm the Balearic Islands". "The rule has to change because it affects British family tourism."
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Yes, well, the resorts lose much of their attraction since they mostly close down by November, along with much of the tourist infrastructure such as shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions. Particularly in the handful of British dominant places, especially since the decline in British tourism. The main attraction for them is the beach, which isn't particularly attractive in 15° weather. And with the hurdles of entry for non-EU citizens adds another layer of difficulty for Brits. So, for the British hotspots, it's hardly worth staying open. Except for some pensioner groups taking an all-inclusive winter break. Many of the non-British places remain open though. And get a fair amount of bookings. Fortunately, the rest of the island stays fully open and active, the villas and fincas and the lovely finca hotels stay fairly well booked. The villages are open, the markets stay busy... Perfect for weekenders, golfers, cyclists, hikers, sightseers, and anyone seeking a short break from cold, dark northern Europe. It's a short, cheap flight from most of the continent, and the quality of the "non resort" offerings generally far exceeds the promise of a 20 sq. meter beachfront hotel room in a mostly closed down resort, with everything still open and active. Yes, resort hoteliers would love to see the season extended, but it's very difficult to compete with the quality of offerings outside the resorts. The all-inclusive pensioners help a little though. Better than nothing.
Hotelier´s have been talking about this kind of time frame for years , haven't seen any sign of that happening yet another unfortunate arrival is the mean face of inflation everything is very expensive in the old days Mallorca was a relative inexpensive holiday location not any more and the have a fantastic time aspect is getting harder to find there is a lot of competition out there , ALOT !