Balearics launch huge damage limitation plan

The Balearic Institute for the promotion of Tourism IBATUR, yesterday unveiled a new campaign aimed at consolidating the region's image as a quality destination while simultaneously trying to fill the ten per cent of hotel rooms which are still available this summer. Tourism Minister, Celesti Alomar, is confident that the effects of the coach strike and the temporary grounding of all Iberia flights this week will be “minimal” because the bulk of this summer's package holidays to the Balearics were sold a long time ago. Alomar admitted that it still has to be seen exactly how much long term damage the recent industrial disputes have had on the Balearics' image - which is why IBATUR have designed a mid and long term campaign which will involve the full co-operation of Britain and Germany's leading tour operators. In the short term, the government has targeted the region's hotel rooms which are still vacant during the peak season and intends to launch a series of last minute offers.