A good convention

I have attended three ABTA conventions in Majorca and I would say that this one has been the most successful to date. Granted it was smaller than previous years and had fewer delegates. The first convention I attended in 1993 had 2'000 delegates, this year we were down to about 800.

Many smaller travel agencies can´t afford to send anyone to the convention. But the good thing about this ABTA convention is that Majorca shined and for once there was some good news, 400'000 additional British holidaymakers have come to the island this year. The news was also upbeat, Majorca is back in fashion again, despite the strength of the euro against the pound and the economic recession. The organisers, Turespaña, the Spanish Tourist Board, should be congratulated on a first class event.

Now, the ABTA convention should not have been held in Majorca, it was due to be staged in Tunisia, but it had to be cancelled and Majorca was an obvious alternative choice. There are some who say that ABTA could be back in Majorca again in two years´ time. The British Travel Agents have been coming to Majorca every ten years since1973. However, in these troubled financial times this seems rather unlikely.

What has Majorca gained from ABTA? Well the British travel industry has once again seen what a fantastic place this island is. It is also said that bookings to the place where the ABTA convention was held the previous year always rise. Well, let's hope that is the case.