A year of change

How will 2015 be remembered in Majorca? I suspect that it will be remembered as the year when the British started to return in big numbers armed with big-buying sterling. British tourism is on track next year in the Balearics to overtake the Germans as the principal tourism nationality as a result of a surge in bookings as British tourists look for a “safe” holiday destination in the sun. The remarkable rise in the spending power of British tourists was clearly noted in Majorca; El Corte Ingles, the big department store, said that the British had become their biggest customers after the Spanish. This state of affairs just confirms what we all know very well: that the British love affair with the Balearics is never-ending. Naturally a stronger currency against the euro helps  and the investment in resorts such as Magalluf is an added bonus. The one thing which is missing of course is more winter flights. Now, there are more flights early in the new year as Jet2 adds Palma to its weekend getaway network of cities but obviously there should be more. The big turnaround in the British market which will be consolodated in 2016 should help this state of affairs. As I have said in this space on numerous occasions there is plenty to do on the island during the winter months, all we need is a bit of imagination and promotion from the local authorities. We can look to 2016 with optimism: the big-spending Brits are back! Happy New Year.