Antich calls for government help, tourism crisis

Leader of the Balearic Government, Francesc Antich, is demanding an urgent meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to discuss the serious problems facing the Balearic tourist industry after the coach strike. In a letter to the Prime Minister written on 5th July, Mr Antich states that he believes the National Government are responsible for some of the ills that are affecting the tourist industry at the moment. He says he is worried about the repercussions of the coach and Iberia pilot strikes. While outlining that tourism is the cogwheel in the economy of the Balearics, he writes that in the last fifty years, great efforts have been made to ensure that the Balearics have one of the greatest tourist fuelled industries in the world. He continues that local government is trying to face the challenge of tourism in the twenty-first century and succeeding in highlighting the need for more environmental awareness. Thanks to tourism, the Balearics have one of the highest standards of living in Europe. Antich says that a fluid dialogue is necessary between Central and Local Governments. There are some problems that the Local Government cannot handle by themselves and they are looking to the central body for a helping hand. The effects of the strikes have been very negative and Antich thinks team work is now needed to overcome the terrible state the tourist industry may lapse into. Holiday bookings in Britain have fallen substantially as a result of the strike chaos last weekend, and it is generally feared that the industry will plummet. Spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) Keith Betton said earlier in the week; “Majorca is our favourite destination, but just not our favourite when it is on strike”. The inconvenience and disruption of last weekend may stay indelibly printed on many British tourist's minds, leaving Majorca with a bleak future.