Daily Bulletin points of interest.

[sws97sdg]

Fom Sunday/Monday's Online Bulletin:-

Dear Sir,

We and our friends visit Puerto Pollensa every year for holidays, we love your island, in fact this year we have visited 3 times, most times we stay at Club Pollensa on the bay.

We rely on the buses into Pollensa very much and previous years have been very good, but this year have been absolutely disgusting !! All our friends and passengers travelling on the buses all agree, the drivers have allowed too many people on one bus to the extent that serious accidents could happen.

I am not sure if you have health and safety regulations in Majorca on this issue, but it certainly would not be allowed to occur in the UK.

We also witnessed bus drivers not stopping for passengers and on one occassion stopping and letting a young Mum and family with a baby and push chair ready to get on the bus, then drove off leaving them astounded and stranded. I also ran for a bus reached the bus stop the driver opened the door then closed it, I asked him `please will you open the door` and his response was to say `NO` !! and drove off.

Other incidents occured with holiday makers and were not complimentary.
This is happening a lot, not only to us but to other passengers, it needs some serious sorting out before someone gets hurt. and tourist will stop coming .

Your bus drivers now have a bad reputation and I feel sure in your own interest you would not want this to happen in such a perfect area of Majorca. I feel very strongly that you should know about this and hopefully will take some action.

Ann Ralph
Puerto Pollensa

I must admit this has never been our experience, we rely more and more on the buses there, especially as we now travel up from the airport by them, we have always found them to be friendly and helpful, I suppose isolated issue may occur. We always marvel at the Patience of them with some tourist who seem to do little to help them or at least by civil, although that is the same as here I suppose.

 

[sws97sdg]

Echos what we have been saying, is it the hotels or the airlines fault? From the DB

Majorca faces its worst winter season in 10 yrs
Palma.—From Monday this week, the annual shutdown after the end of the tourist season has meant the closure of hotels, businesses and the so-called complementary offer of bars, restaurants and cafeterias on a grand scale.
But the Hoteliers’ Federation of Majorca said yesterday that the number of tourist places available from now until March next year is steadily declining in comparison with previous years, due in part to the number of flights from the United Kingdom and Germany to the Balearics having been cancelled.


Winter programme
Faced with the falling number of foreign visitors in the low season, airlines and tour operators joined forces yesterday in saying that Majorca needs to rethink what it has to offer in the winter months, and how best to market the product. “It’s not sufficient that hotels remain open,” said the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and its German counterpart DRV in a joint statement. “There needs to be sufficiency of interest and of service in the surrounding area to attract custom.” Both ABTA and DRV acknowledged that Majorca is not a winter holiday destination as the Canary Islands might be and that a whole new approach is needed to promote the alternative attractions that the island has to offer.

There are also other factors contributing to the poor prospects for the winter season on Majorca this year. They include the cancellation of a Spanish pensioners’ holiday programme which will mean the loss of 10'000 tourists, and the scheme to attract “senior citizens” from other parts of Europe will only be operating at half strength resulting in a further 9'500 visitors being struck off the list.

Hotels in the Playa de Palma and in Magalluf have been particularly affected by the cancellations. Businesses in Alcudia, Cala Millor, Peguera, Palmanova and Santa Ponsa said that the new Balearic government had not yet contributed a great deal to creating all-year-round tourism in Majorca but that the season this year had stretched right until the end of October.

The FEHM said that just 19.7 percent of hotel accommodation will remain open this month, December (13.4%), January (15.5%), February (29.6%) and March (41.9%). In some resorts of the island, places for February and March are down by between 25 and 30 percent. “If tourists can’t get here, then we’re out of business,” said the FEHM.

 

[andrew711]

British airlines and tour operators met with the government yesterday to discuss reductions in airport taxes (in Palma for example) as a way of stimulating more flights in winter. EasyJet pointed out that even were there greater incentives for airlines, more would have to be done to ensure that there were reasons for people to fly, as in more establishments would have to be open.

 

[Sparky]

It really is a "chicken and egg" situation isn't. Hoteliers say it's pointless staying open if the people can't get here and the airlines say people won't use the flights if there is nowhere to stay.

 

[Nick]

I was about to say exactly the same as Sparky but I totally disagree that Mallorca is not a winter destination as ABTA and DAV say?

It does have a mild winter but offers walking and cycling amongst other things that many other European warmer climes don't.

This winter air fares are ridiculously high, that will put people off for a start.

I can't see an easy answer for all this.

 

[Tonsyl]

I'm not sure where you are looking to fly from Nick but there are very favourable fares from Gatwick with Monarch. We have booked a couple of flights for January at £53 return per person including taxes and I am aware of several people who have similar fares for later in the winter. OK, Gatwick is not very central but cheap flights do exist.

 

[sws97sdg]

Agree, there are cheap flights from the south to Palma, easyjet have weekly flights through the winter, we have returen flights in January for £180 including everything, and speedy boarding, if I had booked them when they first came out they would have been £25 each way, expensive? I see they are advertising a sale again, not sure on the routes.

 

[Nick]

Thanks for that Tonsyl. I'll check with Monarch and see.

I always use Stansted but can certainly give Gatwick a try.

 

[Sparky]

This from yesterdays DB.

25th Anniversary of the Anglican Church in Puerto Pollensa

At one time, the Anglican priest in Palma travelled each month between Palma, Ibiza, Minorca and Puerto Pollensa.
In 1986 Rev. Roy Greenwood was appointed as the first residential priest in Puerto Pollensa, and the chaplaincy in the north of Majorca began.
Some years later, Saint Andrew was chosen as the patron saint.
Roy Greenwood preached his first sermon and celebrated morning prayer in Puerto Pollensa on Advent Sunday, and now, some 25 years later, Roy will be the celebrant of Holy Communion, this coming Sunday, Advent Sunday, at 9am.
The 25th Anniversary celebrations continue later in the week, when on Wednesday 30th November, Bishop David Hamid will lead the congregation of Saint Andrew’s in a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation at 7pm.

Meet the Bishop
On Thursday December 1st the congregation will again meet with Bishop David, for a morning of talk and discussion, followed by lunch at Restaurant Menestralia.

 

[Sparky]

This from the DB.

Well done ESRA North .

ESRA (N) Christmas LunchPollensa.—How does ESRA North manage to organise two huge events within a week? Admittedly they are the largest of the ESRA Districts, but first they organised the highly successful Christmas Bazaar, which is well on the way to donating 3500€ to AfAM (Asociacion de Familiares de Enfermos de Alzheimer de Mallorca), and on Friday they organised the annual Christmas Lunch for ESRA North members and their friends.
The Christmas lunch is one of the most popular events in the ESRA North programme. Janet de Vries handled the complex bookings for the lunch with style and it attracted over 100 members, but it was not just the excellent Christmas meal provided by Restaurant Trio in Puerto Pollensa, there was also live music and dancing.
The members of ESRA North, as usual, did not stop there, so there were raffles and auctions all aimed at raising the money raised at the Christmas Bazaar for AfAM. Rosemary Bull, the Chair of ESRA North made a presentation, on behalf of everyone in ESRA North to Anne Gray, who has contributed so much to the life of ESRA, and who will be shortly returning to the UK, with her husband Brian. Once again ESRA North were supported by the welcome presence of the President of ESRA across the island, Michael Brooker and his wife.
Regular readers of the Bulletin could have played spot the Bulletin Celebrity. Dr. George Giri was definitely sighted, and Gardening Correspondent Dorothy Loeffler was seen eyeing-up one or two ofthe plants in the restaurant! Congratulations to ESRA North. Yet another successful event, and once again an event that raised even more money for a worthwhile cause!

 

[sws97sdg]

White Christmas in PP? Taken from yesterday's DB.
WE COULD BE IN FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN THE BALEARICS!
Palma.—Winter is forecast to arrive with a bang next Thursday with temperatures predicted to drop by between 4ºC and 7ºC this weekend as a violent cold front sweeps across the country.
Yesterday, parts of Northern Spain were on red alert with winds peaking at 180 kilometres per hour forcing flight cancellations.
Here in the Balearics, we were on level one orange alert for gale force winds and that will remain in place until midday today.
But, as the winds gradually subside over the weekend, it is the sharp fall in temperature which is going to be the main factor.


Warning
Yesterday, Civil Protection issued a nationwide warning for people to be extra careful over the next few days because of the adverse weather which is going to lash the country.

Come Tuesday, conditions are forecast to improve but we could be in for a white Christmas.
The first snowfall is predicted for today in Majorca at above 1'000 metres and tomorrow, the snowline will descend as low as 800 metres as further snow falls are forecast for next week as we near the Christmas weekend.

Maximum temperatures in the Balearics are going to fluctuate from between 14ºC and 17ºC but it is overnight when temperatures are going to fall the most.

Tuesday night will be one of the coldest next week with a minimum of 7ºC forecast for Palma but up in the Tramuntana mountains, in particular Lluc, temperatures could drop below freezing.

Care and attention
Drivers are being advised to make sure that their tyres, antifreeze and brakes are in good order and drive with due care and attention until the weather warnings are lifted.

 

[sws97sdg]

Some good positive news for a change from the DB.

Good news for the Balearics
Palma.—Needless to say, the most popular ones of the most tried and tested such as Spain and, in particular the Balearics, which was the UK’s top single destination last year and all the early trading indications suggest that the Balearics will remain in pole position this summer.
The pre-Christmas price war did not break out in the end and market research companies have reported that holiday prices are very similar to last year and holidays have been selling well without aggressive market strategies from the main tour operators.

Fears
There were fears that issues such as APD (the increase in the controversial air passenger duty), rising holiday prices and economic uncertainty could hamper sales, but agents said the positive number of enquiries had increased their optimism for 2012 and that should be embraced by destinations such as the Balearics which has limited funding to promote itself overseas this year.

Enquiry numbers have also been very high over the festive period and the past week of poor weather has helped to fuel interest in a sunshine holiday even more.

So, the next few weeks, as has become traditional, are going to prove crucial as agents and operators eagerly wait to see if the enquiries translate into sales.

But, some operators, are already claiming that confirmed bookings between December 29 and December 31, were 12 percent up on last year.
A recent YouGov poll of 2'066 people showed that “millions” intend to book a package holiday and mainland Spain curently tops the list of most popular destinations for those yet to book at 29%. The Balearics is most popular single location (24%) after coming in at number two last year, closely followed by France, the Canaries and Greece (all at 23%).

Egypt
Egypt and Tunisia have seen a slight increase as the destinations being reconsidered despite the impact of the Arab spring and Italy is expected to see a rise in popularity.

Turkey’s fall from grace last year after hiking prices by 20 percent after a boom year in 2010 could still cost it dearly and the ongoing unrest in Greece, could have a negative affect on bookings.

See http://www.majorcadailybulletin.es/

 

[whaleywanderer]

Some good positive news for a change from the DB.

I agree Steve, all you seem to get in the very condensed online version is doom and gloom, I'm sure there must be good news too. It's a shame we can't get the full version like the Euro Weekly or the TOTN for example.

Just had a thought, perhaps you can, maybe it's just the link on the forum that is condensed, must do some investigating, watch this space.

 

[whaleywanderer]

Just had a thought, perhaps you can, maybe it's just the link on the forum that is condensed, must do some investigating, watch this space.

Kiosko y Más

Did a search for MDB and came across this page but it only lets you access the front page it would appear that you would have to pay to subscribe to read the full paper!

 

[Sparky]

Yes i think you are right Whaley and it's logical really, if everyone could read it all online for nothing nobody would buy the paper.
We only buy it occasionally because to be honest there is very little actual news in it and most of that is quite old.

 

[sws97sdg]

More good news, changed some money on Saturday and got 1.174, the visa rate must be well over 1.2 now

Strong Pound gives Balearics a big boostPalma.—Post Christmas sales of holidays to Spain, especially the Balearics, have already performed “extremely positively”, according to market experts in the UK, but with the Pound gaining strength against the Euro on a daily basis this week, Britons are expected to flock back to the Euro zone on holiday this year and the top Spanish resorts are being tipped to be the big winners.
10 per cent rally
The Pound has hit a 15-month high against the Euro, with £1 worth €1.21 - its strongest level since the middle of September 2010.
The increase represents a 10 per cent rally from the 2011 low, which saw Britons on holiday getting €1.10 per pound six months ago. The uncertainty spells good news for British holiday makers, who avoided the Euro zone in droves in late 2008 and 2011 due to high prices caused by the unfavourable exchange rate.

David Swann, from currency exchange Travelex, said: “Despite the economic troubles of our own here in the UK, Tuesday’s positive data release combined with the on-going crisis in the Eurozone, has driven the Pound up, which is good news for travellers.

The best rate “For holidaymakers heading to the Euro zone, this means they are getting the best rate since September 2010.” Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: ‘Sterling has been strengthening slowly but surely over the past few weeks and is now 6.4 per cent stronger against the Euro than it was back in October. “Spain looks set to be the big Euro zone winner as holiday makers start making their travel plans for 2012. UK holiday makers travelling to Spain rose 8.8 per cent last year (January-August 2011) and, with resort prices pegged at last year’s low levels according to our latest research, the Costas and Balearics look set to repeat that success in 2012 as they are well ahead of their Euro zone competition for value. “The most obvious challenge will come from neighbouring Portugal but it remains to be seen whether debt-stricken Greece will cut food and drink prices that are currently almost twice as expensive as those in Spain.”

See:- http://www.majorcadailybulletin.es/