Majorca has a problem. It is a serious one and if it doesn't appear soon our principal industry will suffer severely. I am of course talking about the sun. Plenty is said about tourism and its importance. The government has even introduced a tourist tax. But if the sun is not shining, tourists will go elsewhere. Last weekend was a washout in some areas, especially in the north of the island, hitting the cuttlefish fair in Alcudia and the build-up to the wine festival in Pollensa. There were a lot of rather fed-up tourists about also. The weather forecast for this week is good and Majorca should be back on track, but it has been a poor start to the holiday season and we can't blame competing resorts in the eastern Mediterranean and north Africa. You can't even blame the tourist tax or the Balearic government's new legislation on holiday rentals. The reason is because the weather has been poor and without good weather the island has problems.
Resorts are quite naturally built around the sun. From bar terraces to outdoor attractions Majorca needs the sun. Many local businesses are already complaining that the weather has hit their profits. There is a lot more to this island than just the beach and the sun, but it is a vital part of the industry. We need the sun because otherwise tourists will go elsewhere. If rain is forecast I am afraid to say that bookings will fall. This island's tourist industry is built on the sun.