Dear Sir,
I moved to this island 6 and a half years ago expecting a different life to that in England and I can tell you that is exactly what I got. Since Spain joined the euro and tourism got hold of the internet everything has changed except the Spanish/Majorcans understanding of money, profit and honesty.
Things change and no one seems to understand or accept this. The tourism industry changes every year. People no longer want and need the 2 week package vacation they used to have, along with the restrictions that have been brought into effect in the UK about taking your kids out of school out of term time etc. this has changed the face of tourism forever.
There is so much corruption in the government, no matter who is in charge, the fact that someone's uncle, brother-in-law, sister etc. is involved in nearly every corruption trial in your daily paper should speak volumes but everyone chooses to ignore it. What may I ask is the solution to this.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, there is no solution. No matter what you spend on advertising will never bring back the tourism of the 70's and 80's, this island is done and dusted. It's time to move on. Majorca will never be able to support the same number of bars/restaurants/nightclubs it used to. Catering for the rich only will not employ the seasonal/temporary staff it used to.
Get over it, lower the rents, for heavens sake it isn't difficult. Less overheads, cheaper prices may bring back some trade, but it will never ever be like it used to be. Why can't anyone see this. There are too many bars/restaurants etc on this island. There is too much corruption and burying your head in the sand is not going to change anything.
With little on no industry on the island and more and more office blocks and locals being built every day and no one to buy, rent beg steal or borrow these what do the owners think will happen.
I have tried to rent apartments that are much too expensive for what they are worth only to offer a reasonable rent for them, i.e. 50 euro a month less only to be rejected and find out 6 months to a year later that they are asking more rent than last year. Now we find that Matas, Antich and all the rest have been lining their pockets for years and suddenly everyone is up in arms like they never knew. Come on people, get a grip, you came here because it was different to the UK. If you ever in a million thought that you could earn a few euros a month and expect to pay for schooling, and an apartment and the rent on your bar out of this then you should be shot. I am sick of hearing all the whinging and whining. I am sick of all the corruption in ALL the governments since I have been here, I am sick of all the drug trade/Son Banya problems, the bottelon (2 l's?).
Unashamed, Nigel Stack, Can Pastilla