The Balearic government has formally approved the transfer of responsibilities for tourism promotion to the island councils. Because of this, it is understood that functions of the Balearic Tourism Agency (ATB) are to be reduced and its principal responsibility will be for managing projects funded by the tourist tax.
The Council of Majorca has been preparing for this transfer by recruiting senior staff, which is a key reason why its budget for personnel is to go up. The budget for tourism in 2018 will be 4.4 million euros plus a further one million allocated to the Majorca Tourism Foundation, which will be the entity that is responsible for tourism promotion.
Cosme Bonet, the councillor for economic affairs who speaks on tourism matters, says that this financial provision is good, adding that it is now also the time to be talking about taking on powers for tourism organisation and regulation. The other island councils already have these powers.
As far as promotion is concerned, Bonet explains that the aims will be to strengthen the "Majorca brand" and to change the island's image and tourism model by moving it away from predominantly sun and beach. Speaking at the hoteliers' conference for overseas tourism markets, he stressed the necessity of adding value to the medium and low seasons. Promotional efforts will therefore focus on these. As such, they will follow the strategy of the Balearic tourism ministry.
The government, through what remains of the tourism agency, will still provide the "umbrella" for general tourism policy, but the whole status of tourism as a ministerial function is now coming under some debate. Biel Barceló is suggesting that the next government, one after the 2019 election, will need to decide whether to maintain the tourism ministry or combine it with another ministry.
There are conflicting messages being given about the ongoing role of the ATB. Indeed there are questions as to why it will be needed, notwithstanding a function of managing tourist tax projects, which itself is a questionable necessity. It will be required in the short term as the exact timing of the transfer of tourism promotion responsibilities has yet to be determined; this will, however, be before April 2018. A successor to Pere Muñoz, who resigned as the agency's director two weeks ago, is expected to be announced in the next few days.
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Mike. The lack of flights from Scotland is due to lack of demand. Not everyone is a loudmouth Brit who is fortunate to own property there. Perhaps you could offer some advice on how the Scottish government create that demand. Oh wait, that's not their job. Stick to stuff you know, which appears to be very little.
No not London suggest you try Bristol and Birmingham all last year full flights ,if you live in Scotland try getting sturgeon to do some real work instead of moaning about her referendum and brexit
Winter must be coming because they say the same nonsense every year and nothing changes. Well apart from less and less happening.
"To change the island's image and tourism model by moving it away from predominantly sun and beach." What are they thinking, maybe change to skiing holidays? Idiots.
Mike, trust me if a flight to Majorca from Edinburgh was full every two weeks the whole of the winter they would be flying. Airport costs or not. The fact is flights from Scotland and the north of England are thin on the ground due to the fact that the demand is just not there on such a regular basis. Where are you coming from that the planes are choke full all winter. London maybe?
Lawrie I think you will find you are incorrect as I fly to and from mallorca to my home in calador every 2 weeks 12 months of the year , every flight the whole year round is full the ones who do fly in winter always have a full flight so I’m afraid it’s not down to bums on seats it has to be the Baleares government creating the problem by not reducing airport costs ,
Hope this is not going to be "jobs for the boys ,and girls. Will these "senior staff" talk ,and listen to the bar,restaurant owners and indeed small shops to develope a way foreword to attract visitors.Not necessary to have sun,know will not get it but Christmas/New Year ,the almond blossom,golf,walking.Would suggest don't leave to politicians or simply moving senior staff from one department to another,employ "outsiders" and pay bonus on results.
'A Winter in Mallorca' is no different now than in the days of Chopin. Outside of Palma you will be lucky to find anything open. The custom is to have 3-4 months holidays. Bars and restaurants cannot cover rents and staff wages so they close. Hotels spend the fortunes they earn in the summer by doing improvements, buying boutique hotels or agro tourisms or sending their money to invest in the Carribean. Mallorca has always been jealous of Benidorm etc. down south, where all year climate attracts a constant flow of tourists. There is nothing worse than wandering around a closed up Mallorcan town on a rainy day! No amount of culture or gastronomy will change this. Every year the government's jollies to tourism fairs cost more and more money, and nothing is achieved.
Exactly Mike but what part of it do you not understand? Airlines are reluctant to fly in the winter months due to not enough bums on seats. That's the reason they dont come. They way to reverse this is to promote the islands attractions as a winter destination. This is exactly what is happening. Surely you cant fault them for that.
WHAT PART OF NO AIRLINES WANT TO FLY TO MALLOCA IN WINTER DONT YOU UNDERSTAND ?.