Carmen Planas, the president of the Balearic Confederation of Business Associations (CAEB), has calculated that Palma's Palacio de Congresos convention centre will, at full capacity, generate 20 million euros revenue from some 20,000 visitors who will represent some 50,000 tourist stays (because of family or partners).
This information has been passed to the town hall and it stresses the key role that the centre has in attracting visitors all year round. Planas has underlined the fact that the current difficult situation faced by many small to medium-sized businesses would be alleviated if priority were given to opening the Palacio, given the economic activity that it will generate. She insists that the Palacio should be opened with the utmost speed and with all legal guarantees in place in order to take advantage of the "magnificent opportunity" to create jobs. There is otherwise the danger of losing investment as well as deferring revenues for shops, restaurants, travel agencies, transport companies and others.
Planas was speaking following a visit to the Palacio site along with other representatives on its working party who come from various associations and business organisations. The CAEB, she said, will hold regular monitoring meetings with the town hall and regional government in order to try and avoid delays and to accelerate deadlines that will enable the Palacio to open. She added that disquiet felt by business organisations extends to the poor and worrying image that Palma is giving to the worldwide tourism market (because of the delays with the Palacio).
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There is no point moaning about cost of construction. The conference centre has already been built and the construction cost has been spent.This is called sunk cost and its irrelevant going forward. I for one agree with those who believe this conference centre has strong potential which can only be monetized if the government actually gets it head around the opportunity and find someone who can execute the vision.The market for conferences is very deep and Palma is attractive at every level. On top of this, many decision makers will already know Mallorca from private holidays so the venue/destination risks will be low and flight infrastructure will be a another plus.Bring it on !
Pull the other one, it's got bells on it.
"At full capacity". And when, may we ask, will this occur, if at all.
It's going to take years to pay back it's building costs and associated costs then there will be on-going maintenance costs,staff salaries,utility bills et al plus the figures could fall short of the estimates and if rents are too high,they might not attract all the outlets they hope for,and,of course,high rent and rates mean high retail prices and people might just try it a few times then shop elsewhere.