Minister tries to lift local tourisme spirits

Balearic Minister for Tourism, Celesti Alomar, tried to lift the region's spirits yesterday urging businesses not to write the summer season off just yet. Alomar said that some companies have given up on this summer, but he said that it is the wrong approach. “The Balearics is still a leading tourist destination in Europe,” he said. The Minister was keen to point out that all destinations have suffered a decline in tourism this year. Alomar added that growth in the industry has been greater than demand and the opening up of new destinations has not helped either. Economic downturn in Germany has also had a major effect on the Balearics with tourism figures down 17 per cent this year and Alomar admitted that the slump in the Balearics is much greater than in other destinations. Alomar is not however writing this summer off and said that the Balearic industry needs to assess the situation and plan for the future and the changes in the travel industry. “We need to be joining forces to improve quality and prove those who blame the tourist tax for the recession wrong,” he said.