Palma's Palacio de Congresos and hotel will finally be open in April. | Miquel A. Cañellas

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Patxi Mangado, the architect responsible for Palma's Palacio de Congresos says that Meliá have informed him that the convention centre will open on 1 April next year. He adds that the business plan that has been presented is "extremely good". "I can safely say that the whole complex, including the hotel, is in the best possible hands."

At the formal signing-over of the Palacio to Meliá at the World Travel Market, CEO Gabriel Escarrer said that he had special interest in talking to the architect and discussing the Palacio's technical characteristics. He added that Meliá have grand plans and want the public to get to know the Palacio; there will therefore be some open days so the public can look around. There are to also be cultural events that will create a common dynamic. Meliá wish to complement to the maximum the convention activities with other types of event that will benefit Palma and the rest of Majorca.

Mangado met with Escarrer at the site on Tuesday. "It was very rewarding and more than positive. He came with his technical people and his interest was total. I therefore believe that they will make the Palacio an important economic engine for Palma and for Majorca."

Meliá wants to have completed any further technical aspects before December in order to start the process of equipping the Palacio and the hotel. Mangado says that the building has been handed over in such a way that the managing company (Meliá) can operate it virtually from day one. He has indicated that if any change is required, they just have to ask for it.

Under the terms of the contract with the Palacio company (jointly controlled by the town hall and the regional government), there will be an event once a month. These twelve events will be evenly distributed between the two parties. Eight of them will be free.