Finance
Debt repayments suffocating the Balearic government
The tourist tax alone, were it destined for debt payment, would have to be collected for eight years in order just to pay off current interest.
Environment
Balearic pressure on Madrid to stop oil prospecting
Alorda is confident that the national ministry’s decision will be favourable to the Balearics.
Politics
Study confirms Majorcan society’s move to the left
26.4% of Majorcans feel more Majorcan than they do Spanish, while 52.8% feel as Majorcan as they do Spanish.
Employment
Work inspections to increase in 2016
There are to be four key campaigns: control of temporary appointments and potential contractual fraud; control of the hours of work; control of part-time contracts; and limitations on overtime.
Tourist tax
D-Day for tourist tax
The draft will be up for public consideration for 15 days, during which time any citizen or organisation can have their say and can present observations.
Weather
Cold front will briefly disrupt Majorca's Indian summer
This front will affect the whole of Spain and the Balearics later in the weekend and into early next week.
Tourist tax
Destination of tourist tax will not be known until 2017
“We can’t move on things that are impossible, because the law hasn’t yet been approved.”
Environment
WWF criticises court ruling on coastal land
"Essential in order to reverse the current lack of coastal protection and to ensure the future for coastal populations and the conservation of threatened ecosystems.”
Transport
PSOE to press for flat-rate inter-island flights
These provisions have been approved as an item in the party’s manifesto for the general election on 20 December.
Retail
Retailers anticipating record Christmas sales
"The outlook is very favourable. All indicators point to Christmas 2015 being very positive for retailers."
Taxation
Income tax increases will apply to this year
On income tax, the increases apply only to those earning 70,000 euros or more.
Society
Balearics is top spot for UK residents
50% of UK foreign residents are in Alicante, Malaga and the Balearics.
Politics
Taxing higher earners needs to be done, says Armengol
Jaume Font remarked that recent summer seasons have all finished with conclusions of having been the best ever, yet "unemployment continues all the same".
Tourism
Cruise shipping in the Balearics has risen by 16%
1.41 million passengers came into the five Balearic ports onboard 605 ships, which themselves represented an increase of over 13%.
Tourist tax
Tourism minister claims UK tour operators consider tourist tax “normal”
Barcelo said yesterday that the majority of the British tour operators and airlines “are quite happy and content” with the tourist tax.
Crime
Balearic crime rate falls
The national government delegate to the Balearics, Teresa Palmer, described the trend as “positive”.
Politics
Balearics disadvantaged by low number of members of Congress
In the event that traditional bipartisanship (the Partido Popular and PSOE) is broken at the forthcoming election, some peculiar situations could arise in Congress.
Foreign affairs
New British Consul-General announced for north-east Spain
Lloyd Milen promoted from Vice Consul in Alicante, where recruitment begins for his successor.
Tourism
Balearics promotes gastronomy ... and so does Catalonia
The aims of this were to get Balearic products better known in the UK (with the potential to increase sales in the UK) and to show what the Balearic Islands offer as a destination for gastronomy.
Nautical
Balearics continues to lead boat sales market
The Balearics is maintaining its national leadership for boat registration, 679 vessels having been registered over the first ten months of the year.
- What a carry on! European Union abandons full launch of new travel entry system for Britons in favour of "phased rollout"
- Uncertainty surrounds EU Entry/Exit System implementation
- Fresh hope for Golden Visa in Spain
- Living in Palma Airport - Safe and warm
- Laura Hamilton: “I’ve always loved Mallorca, I just wished I’d bought here earlier...”