Battle lines

Local hoteliers are on a collision course with the Balearic government over the tourist tax and over staffing levels. Battle lines are already being drawn. The local authorities want to crack down on help-yourself-bars which form part of some all-inclusive packages. The minister for tourism, Biel Barcelo, has already said that they would not tolerate the free alcohol element of all-inclusive packages: firstly because these help-yourself-bars often led to excessive drinking and bad behaviour and secondly because of staffing levels. The government believes, quite rightly, that bars offering alcohol should be manned. Now, so far the hoteliers have limited their attacks on the Balearic government to just the tourist tax. They believe that it is a bad idea and will lead to a drop in tourism. Now, obviously the Balearic government disagrees because after all it is their flagship policy. It is a sad state of afairs that the biggest employers in the islands (the hoteliers) and the Balearic government look set to be at a loggerheads. On the issue of all-inclusive I must admit I am with the Balearic government. All-inclusive holiday packages need to be controlled to ensure that the necessary quality is offered. Also, their affect on the bar and restaurant trade in resorts should be taken into account as well. On the tourist tax, well the jury is out. It is a small charge which would benefit Majorca but I am concerned that tourists will object to paying a holiday levy.