Editorial: A longer season

THE summer season may have started on a low note but it looks set to end on a high with a surge in late bookings thanks to the fantastic September weather. And what is more some of the island´s top attractions have decided to delay their closing dates to cash in on the late bookers. I am told that a large number of hotels will remain open until at least til the end of next month. It could also mean that some vital revenue will be clawed back after a peak season which has proved to be relatively good but not the record summer which the Balearic government had been forecasting. Winter tourism still remains a distant dream despite assurances by the Balearic government that they were working long and hard to lengthen the holiday season. The main concern for the Balearics this year has been tourist spending. While across the country it has increased in the Balearics it has fallen quite dramatically. The growth of all- inclusive tourism continues which will hit the bar and restaurant trade hard. There has also been a spectacular growth in the number of people who have been renting homes for their holiday here. Despite warnings from the hoteliers and the Balearic government this market continues to prosper. But it does have its perils, especially when booking direct from the internet. A taxi driver told me how he had taken an Italian family to an apartment they had rented online in the Red Light District. The advertisement said it was close to beach and shops!