There is a photo of Biel Barceló, the minister for tourism, walking through a beautiful part of Pollensa. If the minister was to visit the north side of Santa Ponsa Bay, I could supply a photo of the minister standing in front of a dangerous old harbour where fishermen daily risk their lives simply to fish from the end of the pier or the minister could stand in front of the large hole on the broken down promenade.
The Bulletin has been very helpful over the last three years and officials from Calvia Council have been in regular contact with me regarding making the walkway from Ceasars Apts to the beach safe. In October last year Nati Frances Garate and Dolina Reynolds met with me and had a coffee then walked along the north side of the bay. They confirmed that the area was dangerous and promised repairs. After the severe storms of January 2016, I met with the council officials again and they were happy to confirm that the north side of Santa Ponsa Bay would be made totally safe by Easter. They also went on to state that a new walkway would be constructed in 2016 from the beach to Isabella Apartments.
The owners of Meson Del Mar have taken over the derelict Pagoda restaurant which is situated in the building of Eden Roc. They are doing a fantastic job of repairing the terrace and I understand that a beautiful new restaurant will be opening in the very near future. The private sector seems happy to invest in the north side of the bay while the public sector seems happy to let the northside of Santa Ponsa Bay deteriorate.
I would like to invite Biel Barceló through the columns of the Bulletin, who have my contact details, to join me for a coffee and walk along the north side of Santa Ponsa Bay.
I have recently been involved in correspondence with Michael O’Leary, the Chief Executive of Ryanair, and Keith Brown, the former transport minister for the Scottish Government, regarding the lack of flights from Scotland to Majorca in the winter months and the need for winter tourism.
If the Majorcan authorities are serious about winter tourism, then I think they should consider the following four points:
1. The tourist tax should not apply in the winter
2. Airport landing charges should be reduced to similar levels as that of Alicante and Malaga
3. Incentives to keep hotels closed in the winter should be phased out
4. Palma should be promoted as a city break destination open 365 days per year.
Regards
Ian Rice
Santa Ponsa
2 comments
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Don't hold your breath,Ian,I lived in Santa Ponsa from the mid 1990's when Calvia Council was reputed to be the richest council in europe,very little if any of that money was ever spent on improving Santa Ponsa,and it shows. Calvia Council,during the time I lived there went from being supposedly the richest council in europe to being almost broke and if money was not spent in the hay days,there is little chance now and as I spend a few weeks in Santa Ponsa every year,it's fair to say it needs a lot of money spending on it.
Good luck Ian, you will need it. Simon.