13/01/2017 00:00
When I first rocked up in Majorca some 25 years ago or so, I ended up living in Puerto Pollensa and working on a horse riding ranch aimed at tourists which was open nearly all year round. Apart from giving classes during the day (and caring for the horses, shoeing them and all that), the highlight was the evening moonlight ride. Quite often we would have the best part of 100 people in various groups, depending on their riding skills, and we would all end up around a big fire drinking sangria and, once we were closed up, we would head in to Alcudia for a few drinks and catch up with some of the clients we had met.
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25 years ago long haul winter sun destinations like Thailand, India, the Carribean and Florida were a lot more expensive in real terms, I suspect that the fall in winter business in Mallorca has mirrored the rise in far flung destinations.
I first came to the Island in 1989. Some 28 years ago. The TALK then was increasing Winter Tourism. Nothing has been achieved. YES FOR PALMA, but not for the rest of the Island. Who is at fault?. The Hotels close ( No Demand ). The bars/restaurants close ( No Demand and All Inclusive destroying their trade.) .The Tour Operators promote other countries in the Winter. The Airlines reduce all flights ( No Demand ). The Authorities responsible for Winter Tourist Attractions, have continually FAILED. The majority on the Island enjoy 6 months holidays.
I also remember holidaying in Majorca during December - February, now the resort we used to stay at is closed for almost 5 months. Its a circle that needs to be broken, the Airlines cut the flights, the Travel Companies reduce the holidays on offer, the Hotels have to close, someone has to break this circle, I think the Travel Operators have a lot to answer for
It´s the same in Puerto Pollensa. I was up there last weekend and as far as I could see, only one small hotel was open, most of the restaurants were closed, even the Burger King. There are fantastic oportunities for bird watching and walking, don´t know about horse riding,but who is going to spend their time in a desolate tourist area ?. If they did this year they won´t next year, so it just keeps spiralling downwards. Pity.
Santa Ponsa closed on 1 November. It is that bad you struggle to buy a Daily Bulletin most days...