by Staff Reporter
PALMA
SPANISH Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero yesterday repeated his commitment to convert the Bay of Palma facelift into a landmark project for a new era of tourism in Spain, in collaboration with the Balearic government, Palma city council and the private sector.
Zapatero was speaking at the tenth national family business congress, whose guest speaker on Monday was former American vice president Al Gore.
He said that the project, which will take ten years to complete, will be a good opportunity to show Europe and the world a new vision of the Bay of Palma, in keeping with the times. He added that the Balearics have to take the leadership in the vanguard of the Spanish tourism sector.
The Prime Minister pointed out that tourism is one of the sectors in which Spain has historically been an example for the world, and it must now join in a process of change, in which it must always be at the forefront.
He was confident that the international competition of ideas organised to refurbish the area will once again put Palma and its bay in an outstanding place adding that he hoped to have the maximum collaboration of the entire tourist sector of the islands, and that of Palma in particular.
The Prime Minister promised to improve State financing of the Balearics, and will sign an agreement to promote public transport before March. Although figures were not mentioned, the Balearic government has estimated the cost of improving public transport to be in the region of 600 million euros. This includes extending the train service to Alcudia and Arta and the first stage of the tram line which will run along the Bay from Arenal to Santa Ponsa.
Zapatero also spoke of his government's main objectives over the coming years: to raise standards of education in Spain, to tackle immigration and integration and for Spain and the Spanish language to make their mark in the world. He said that if he is reelected in March, these will be his three chief priorities over the coming years, adding that Spain should face up to the next legislature decisively, with clear ideas and responding to tangible objectives. In the first place, in order for the economy to continue growing in a more balanced manner, it is necessary to raise standards of education which, he admitted, are still below those of the most developed countries. Immigration will also play a bigger role in the future.