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Palma.—Even before it has officially started work, the new Foundation has been the source of ill feeling amongst traders associations and tourism businesses, because some groups are reportedly feeling “left out” of what is promising to be an industry moneyspinner.

Those who have been sidelined are suggesting that Palma City Council's aim of revitalising and upgrading its tourist attractions and services has favoured some groups - principally big business - over others.

The Small to Medium-sized business association of Majorca, Pimeco, wrote a letter of protest yesterday to Palma's Mayor Mateo Isern saying that its members had long been urged by the Council to “step up a gear” and serve the tourist community more broadly but at the time of setting up a Foundation, the association has been “forgotten.” Tourism Councillor Alvaro Gijon explained that the Foundation is embracing all those organisations which are willing to put money into the venture because private - as opposed to public - financing is the only way such a project could succeed. “The Foundation has the full backing of the Town Council and the tourist businesess sector,” claimed Gijon.

However, members of the Balearic Business Confederation (CAEB) said yesterday that there are plenty of small businesses along the Playa de Palma which would also be willing to invest in the Foundation.