Doom merchants put a sock in it

THERE have been quite a lot of defeatist attitudes going around the world over the last few months but one of the worst statements of sheer hysteria I've heard has been in the Balearics. High profile members of the tourist industry have said that the Balearics might as well forget the summer season because tourists will not be coming here because of the war in Iraq. Well that's it then, will the last person to leave Palma turn the light off. Instead of making stupid comments and trying to hug the media spotlight they should be working around the clock and trying to portray an image of tranquility. Iraq, if my geography serves me correctly is a long way from these shores. The people who should be worried and making the statements which we have heard here are those in Greece and Turkey. They are facing disaster not the Balearics. The Balearic government, tourist industry, the association of small and medium sized Palma traders, the association of lobster fishermen, etc, etc should forget the conflict in Iraq and concentrate on what is happening in the Balearics. The sun is shining and Majorca is looking fantastic and everything will soon be open for business. This is the message we should be trying to convey. If the forecasts of doom and gloom which the industry is making at the moment actually take place then we are going to face a long and cold winter, probably one of the worst this island has ever seen. The tourist industry must keep their comments to themselves and get down to some work.