Dear Sir, Those responsible for Majorcan tourism should hang their heads in shame for never marketing wonderful events such as the San Sebastian celebrations. Are tourists seen as a bit of an intrusion on their hedonistic lifestyle?
Steve Riches
Northampton, UK
Dear Sir, Having stayed on the island in winter for many years (We used to love the Almond blossom - and one year, we even went to Es Trenc beach on Christmas Day), naturally we were interested to read yesterday's excellent 3-page promotional article in the Daily Telegraph.
Nowadays, we are not surprised that there are few winter tourists.
What with sparse flights, hotels, restaurants and bars closed, and no self-promotion (There were no supporting advertisements on those Telegraph pages - apart from one cruise operator), we find our desire for winter Majorcan magical charm totally frustrated.
Those wasted Euros could be put to better use!
R. Harding
Oxford
Dear Sir, UK travel agents have just announced that there has been a 15% slump in holiday bookings, at this peak time. Not sure why both the Madrid tourist caucus and the Airport authority think the direct opposite.
Also, Costa Concordia has, on top of this, lead to a slump in cruise bookings.
Majorca hotels have decided to close for up to 4 months a year, leading to budget airlines slashing their services in the winter months.
Hotels will be hit by the fall in visitors.
Palma will be seriously hit by falling cruise passengers.
Tourism just closes down now for four months a year. When it reopens, all inclusive packages are growing every year to over 80% of visitors.
Small businesses are reeling.
With impeccable timing, the hotel dominated Tourist office decided that now is the ideal time to clamp down on the short term letting of holiday homes. Whilst economic conditions can be directly blamed for all the former problems, it defies any logic why small businesses, bars and car hire companies should be hit deliberately in this way.
PP, scrap this stupid idea, and actually encourage 365 day tourism.
Holiday lettings are a very significant creator of wealth for the island, albeit not going into big hotel safes.
All year tourism can only ever be achieved if you include the use of empty assets, at no cost to the island, and of considerable economic benefit to all.
I notice a plethora of new high profile political tourist appointees, will any one of them have the guts to completely scrap this ridiculous law, or agree to regulate it, if not? I do hope so.
Richard Taylor
Calvia