A number of hoteliers in Majorca have apparently had enough heartache for one summer and intend to close well before the end of October as usual. Sources for the Majorcan Hotel Federation said yesterday that hotel bookings for September are 15 per cent down on last year and that a substantial number of hoteliers are planning on closing their doors before the traditional end of the summer. Federation spokesperson Antonio Fuster said yesterday that normally, around 70 per cent of hotels close at the end of October, with the remainder staying open for the winter, but this year, many are considering closing early with far less staying open for the winter. Few hoteliers are prepared to gamble on staying open to accommodate guests who have booked bargain discount holidays at the last minute, which this year has accounted for about 40 per cent of the market. This has not been a good year, the Federation said yesterday, blaming the Balearics' poor image overseas, the tourist tax, recession-hit Germany and September 11.
Large number of hotels plan to close early