Passengers arriving at Son Sant Joan airport in Palma

Passengers arriving at Son Sant Joan airport in Palma. | Nekane Domblás

Jason MoorePalma31/05/2024 09:38
TW
1

The Balearic government came together with members of the tourist industry last week to say enough was enough and that a new “tourism model” would be devised which will put quality ahead of numbers. In other words, fewer tourists, more spending power. There was a nice photo of the local government standing with some members of the tourist industry. Then there was an open debate. I was interested to hear what the tour operators had to say about the new tourism plan....but unfortunately they were not attending.

Also, the leading UK and German travel agents made some good points as well, but they were not there either. The airlines also had a point to make but they were absent as well. How can you devise a new tourist plan for a multi-billion euro industry without some of the key players? It is almost like trying to make an omelette without eggs.

Now, I am sure that the medium-sized ironmongers association of Mallorca had some very valid points to make about tourism but they are not exactly premier league players within the tourist industry.

If we were talking about a small industry then fine, but we were talking tourism and Mallorca, an industry which probably has a greater economic turnover than many small countries. Get it right before you start.