BALEARIC hoteliers are demanding that the Spanish Government fix minimum prices per tourist per day for pensioners travelling with the Imserso (social services) programme.
The hoteliers, who belong to the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), want the price for full board increased from 15.50 euros to 20 euros per person per day.
This demand comes as the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is trying to increase the number of beneficiaries of this programme from 830'000 in 2006-2007, to 1.5 million by the time of the next national election.
The Minister, Jesus Caldera, during his last visit to Palma on January 20, said that, the Balearics will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this increase in pensioner travel. It is a region which is very much in demand.
However, the development of the 2007-2008 programme, which has been delayed by the complaints of the hoteliers who want more money for these tourists, has proved more complicated than was at first envisaged.
The Ministry says it will listen to CEHAT's complaints to try to avoid problems in the future development of the programme. This programme is supported by the Balearic Government, as they have incorporated social tourism into their plan for diversification, which was presented by the leader of the Balearic Government, Jaume Matas, during the last FITUR fair in Madrid.
Hoteliers on Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza who collaborate with this programme agree that we are the only ones who do not benefit from the Imserso programme, unlike the rest of the sectors which participate, airlines, travel agents, and tourist transport companies. Our costs are rising all the time.