Dear Sir,
As a long time visitor to Puerto Pollensa it has been interesting to note the changes which taken place to the resort over the years. Many of these have been very positive such as the upgrading of the harbour area and the resurfacing of the market square. However, in these difficult times, there are still areas where things could be improved if the port is to continue to attract all year round visitors. One example is the Boquer Valley which attracts walkers, bird watchers, and ramblers from across the island. The lead up to the walk via the Avenida Bocchoris has been improved immensely over the years. Unfortunately, on reaching the top, visitors are greeted with the sight of a partially built villa which has been unfinished for around ten years. It now displays obscene graffiti on every surface, appears to be occupied by squatters and is surrounded by litter and an unfinished pavement. For visitors beginning or leaving the walk, it is an eyesore which spoils the charms of this lovely walking route and it would not be surprising if this was enough to deter some from booking a holiday in the port.
There has been a great deal of well documented debate about how to encourage an increase in tourism- whilst there will always be a need to take an overarching view perhaps, by also focussing on small areas for improvement such as this villa, the overall impact could be surprisingly positive.
Joan Dempsey
Dear Sir,
Here on the east coast has emerged what appears to be a "casing" operation to target fincas, left empty through the winter months.
An English acquaintance was in his finca recently when he was called to his gate by two (apparently) Spanish men. They introduced themselves as being from the Ajuntament, promoting the availability of discounted flights available to residents. Was he a resident, they enquired, did he live here all year round or was he away during the winter seasons. They assured him that lengthy absences would not necessarily prevent him from benefitting from the residents travel discounts. They took his details and assured him he would hear from them once the details had been "processed".
I, on the other hand, am sure he will hear from them, but sometime in the winter, when he isn’t there.
How many other house owners have released this security-sensitive information to these men? Are we to see a rash of break-ins over the next few months?
Regards, a concerned
Oliver Cheetham,
Porto Cristo