Editorial: A warning

IS there a danger that Majorca will move too far upmarket and as a direct result price itself out of the market for many visiting tourists? Last weeklend I had the privilege of staying at one of the island´s five star hotels on an end of season package. Two glasses of cava cost 24 euros and two coffees cost 9 euros. Now, I know Iwas staying at a top-rate hotel but Majorca appears to be moving in the four and five star direction with new hotels in this category being built or being up-graded across the island.  The Playa de Palma will soon welcome a new five star hotel and the new developments in Magalluf are all part of a new drive for so-called up-market tourism. In Palma new boutique hotels have opened which are out of the price range of many visiting tourists. The Balearic government has always said that they wanted fewer tourists but with a higher spending power. Palma is no longer cheap and even mainland Spaniards complain about the prices in the city. Let us remember that Majorca was one of the pioneers of package tourism; Value for money holidays in the sun.  We must not forget this state of affairs. There should be something for all at prices all can afford. If Majorca prices itself  out of the market it could lead to a wide range of problems in the future and lead to a substantial drop in tourism. A balance must be found and quick. Up-market is all very well but we need the visitor numbers as well. Price in tourism is king and we should be careful.