PALMA
BALEARIC hoteliers are demanding more funding from the Balearic Government to improve tourist infrastructures.
The President of the Hotel Chains Association (ACH), Aurelio Vasquez said, civil society has come as far as it can, and we therefore ask for more specific action and fewer words from the Balearic Government to get more funding from Madrid for the improvement of tourist infrastructures.
It is not enough to talk to Joan Clos, Pedro Majia and the Secretary General for Tourism, Amparo Fernandez, what they have to do is talk to the Spanish Minister for Economy and Tax, Pedro Solbes, who is the one who has the last word on whether investments are approved or not.
Vasquez was speaking after giving the opening lecture at the start of the term in the Felipe Moreno Tourism School.
He said that the tourism sector was worried about the future of the project for the refurbishment of the Playa de Palma.
We haven't seen any progress, just fine words and no action, so it is necessary to seek more practical action from Madrid, such as from the Ministry of Economy and Tax.
With regard to the 100 days during which Francesc Buils has been the Balearic Minister for Tourism, Vasquez highlighted his willingness to talk. However, we are being subjected to great competition and we cannot reconcile political timing with company timing as they are very different. We are demanding and asking for concrete action and decisions on essential things such as tourist reconversions and changes of use, promotion plans and legislation for tourist places. It is necessary to work on these, he said.
In his first review of the Summer season, the President of ACH explained that generally it had been good and more profitable than 2006. There has been a slight increase in income in comparison with last year, thanks to the contracts which were negotiated in 2006. Overnight stays have also increased, but not all Balearic tourist areas have had the same amount of luck in this area. The areas which stand out are Alcudia and the Playa de Palma, he said.