All eyes are on Madrid as all important tourism fair gets under way

The Balearic President, Marga Prohens, who is leading the Balearic delegation, remains upbeat saying that the biggest problem the islands face is too much tourism. These days it is a question of less rather than more. However, despite the rhetoric there is cause for concern for the Balearics although no one will admit it officially. Both British and mainland Spain tourism fell to the islands during the peak summer months and it was only thanks to yet another spectacular increase in the German market that the islands ended the season in positive territory.

A further drop in these two markets this year would get the alarm bells ringing despite the call for fewer tourists. Fitur is the flagship fair for the Spanish tourist industry and its importance is clearly underlined by the fact that it will be opened by King Felipe later this morning. Spain enjoyed one of its best holiday seasons on record last year and the industry will be looking for a repeat performance this year.

The Balearics will be closely watching their Spanish competitors, Catalonia, the Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands. Also in the spotlight will be plans by the Balearic government to increase the rate of the controversial tourist tax. The move has been slammed by hoteliers who claim that it could give competing regions in Spain an edge.