Dear Sir, I've just returned from my fifth visit to Majorca, having first traveled to the island in 1993, and I would like to say that I agree with much of what was said by Graham Phillips in the issue of 12th April.
Since that first visit, just eight years ago, I have seen so much further development coves and bays that used to be so quiet and peaceful, like Cala Mesquida, now increasingly built up, albeit in a more sympathetic style than the high rises of many years ago.
I visit the island to walk, to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and the mountains, to sunbathe in quiet unspoilt bays, to share your festivals if the tax of about 62 pence a day is the price I have to pay to continue to enjoy this, then I will willingly pay it! If that tax deters the visitors who just want to lie beside hotel pools, then so be it, because I do not believe that Majorca can support an annual growth of around 10% in visitor numbers.
However I do not believe that the tax as proposed will be much of a deterrent to visitors from the UK, but it will generate extra revenue that I hope will benefit environmental causes. Maybe further taxes should be considered, perhaps on developments old and new that make no effort to reduce their environmental impact I continue to be surprised how little sign I see of the use of solar power, for example, or requests to hotel guests to minimise their water usage.
Looking forward to many more visits.