The week in the Bulletin: a saint and a tax
A saint, a tax, a government defeat, the past week was one of holiness and distinctly unholy rows, one of them even involving a saint.
Northern News Spotlight
Ironman brings an economic benefit of over eight million euros
Alcudia town hall wants a more detailed study into the economic impact of the Ironman events that are staged twice a year.
Tourism
Some clarity on the tourist tax, but not enough
Barceló wants everyone to work together. He’s got a hell of a job convincing them.
Tourist tax
Tourist tax: “It is a small price to pay for a better Majorca...”
“As I said earlier it is a small charge; (1.7 percent of the cost of a holiday), children will not pay and also it will not be charged on a daily basis so that long-stay tourists do not pay more.”
Employment
140,000 employed in tourism industry, increase of 5%
The Balearic tourism sector employed an average of just under 140,000 people between June and August,
Charity
You can have your cake and eat it!
Scores of people gathered at Mood Beach today for a massive coffee morning with all the proceeds going to local cancer charities.
Tourism
“Please help us make Majorca a better place”
Balearic minister for tourism, Biel Barcelo, says that the tourist tax will represent just 1.7 per cent of the cost of a holiday to the islands and appeals for the help of visiting tourists. Children will not pay the surcharge and the money will be used to upgrade holiday resorts and to protect the environment. Minister says that taxes of this type already exist in many holiday destinations in the European Union. Barcelo says that there will be no backing down.
Education
New schools needed for increasing Balearic population
“Inadequate, deficient and with serious problems related to facilities”.
Religion
Fray Junipero: the new Majorcan saint
He defended their dignity, “protecting them from many who had abused them,” the Pope said of the new saint.
Property
Spectacular growth in Balearic property sales
The sale of homes in the Balearics during the second quarter rose by a whopping 30.1% compared with sales from April to June 2014.
Magalluf
Significant fall in incidents in Magalluf
“Significant decrease” this year in the number of incidents involving British nationals in resorts in Calvia: Magalluf, most notably.
Tourist tax
ABTA to write to Balearic government over tourist tax
"The introduction of the tax will not come about through “imposition”.
Weather
Summer is over. Get ready for a nice warm (and wet) autumn
Bursts of “Indian” summers interspersed by stormy conditions are being forecast for the autumn.
Employment
The number of foreign workers in the Balearics on the rise
The percentage rise over last August in the Balearics was the largest of all regions of Spain.
Northern News Spotlight
Pollensa development compensation claim dismissed
Owners of three plots in the El Vilar urbanisation in Pollensa are not entitled to the level of compensation they had been seeking.
Tourism
Increase in the number of foreign tourists to Balearics
In August the increase over July was 0.7% to a total of 2.2 million foreign visitors during the month.
Palma
Opposition on Palma city council warns of travel chaos
“Let’s hope it will be ok and that everything is programmed so that the local police and the department of transport can ensure that there isn’t chaos.”
Tourism
Groundbreaking tourism conference in Palma on Friday
Palma’s Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will be the location for the first ever international conference on tourism innovation.
Tourism
“Hardest part has been done”: Magalluf’s transformation
Gabriel Escarrer, Meliá's CEO, says that the hardest part has been done in turning Magalluf around.
Tourism
Melia Group moves up in the world rankings
Meliá Hotels International has moved up three places to number 17 in the latest ranking.
- Britons cash in on the outgoing Golden Visa in Spain to beat the 90 day rule
- After a holiday in Mallorca Richard Gere moves to Spain
- Laura Hamilton: “I’ve always loved Mallorca, I just wished I’d bought here earlier...”
- The 90 day rule does have some positive results in Spain!
- German low-season tourism in Mallorca set for a new record