News reports.

[Jonsey]

Just read on the web that poor old John did, in fact, go missing. I thought it was just a bit of 'Pollens Forum' banter! I didn't realise that the 81 year old lives in Andraix and suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and his wife was really genuinely concerned. Police have, this evening, found him, and he's now recovering in hospital.

 

[PP76]

Just read on the web that poor old John did, in fact, go missing. I thought it was just a bit of 'Pollens Forum' banter! I didn't realise that the 81 year old lives in Andraix and suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and his wife was really genuinely concerned. Police have, this evening, found him, and he's now recovering in hospital.

Very glad to hear he has been found, fond memories of him on Blue Peter.

 

[kate1]

So sad - he was found in a storm drain, very dehydrated - presumably having lain there all day. But the news is that hopefully he will make a full recovery.

 

[mike_dublin]

John Noakes 'recovering well' after missing ordeal - The Local

.

.
The 81-year-old who suffers from Alzheimer’s disappeared outside his home on Tuesday morning while out for a walk.

Police teams conducted a massive search for the former children's television presenter and he was eventually spotted him around 7pm in the evening lying in long grass in a field near his home.

He had been hidden from searchers in the long grass of a storm drain and had been too weak to call out for help.

Although very weak and suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, Noakes had suffered no physical injury and was transferred to the Son Espases hospital.

On Wednesday morning, local authorities described him as "recovering well".

"He was released last night from hospital. He is back home after recovering well," a spokesman at the Son Espases hospital told The Local.
...

 

[sws97sdg]

From The Local Newspaper.es.... http://www.thelocal.es/20150701/man-fined-1000-for-drunk-cycling

"Man drunk in charge of a bike fined €1,000 in Spain

he man was stopped by traffic police in the town of Ortigueira, on the north-western coast of Spain on May 30th.

At around 6pm, the man was stopped and, when breathalyzed, was found to have an alcohol level of way over 0.25 miligrams per litre."

Perhaps I shouldn't mention in my reports what drinks I have when we go off on our bikes for lunch!!

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(09/07/15 online)

NEW TOURIST TAX TO BE PUT ON HOLD
By Humphrey Carter


The tourist industry at home and overseas breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when it was announced that the reintroduction of the tourist tax is being put on the back burner. The new Balearic Minister for Tourism, Biel Barcelo, the leader of the eco-nationalist party Més, explained yesterday that, despite the fact that each of the three parties in the left wing coalition have different ideas of how to reintroduce the tourist tax, for the time being the new levy is going to put on hold.

It would appear that the new administration has learnt its lessons from the previous tourist tax introduced by the last left wing coalition to govern the Balearics. It was an unmitigated disaster and did the region’s image a great deal of harm, and caused much controversy because it was only charged to hotel and registered apartment guests.

The new President of the Balearics, Francina Armengol, was part of that coalition government, she was the President of the Council of Majorca, while Barcelo, then leader of the PSM, also had a role in the coalition.

However, this time around, it has been agreed that until the holiday let market has been properly regulated, then the tourist tax will remain on hold because the government wants every tourist coming to the Balearics to be charged the tax, they do not want a discriminatory tax like the one introduced last time around.

But, in order for there to be no loop holes, the government and Ministry for Tourism have agreed that proper order has to be installed in the holiday rental market.
But, there are concerns that the Balearics could follow the example of Barcelona.
Barcelona’s new Mayor, Ada Colau, has suspended licenses for tourist accommodation in Barcelona while City Hall conducts an “in-depth analysis” of the sector as the councils sets about regulating the sector.

The licenses cover a variety of lodgings such as hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and tourist apartments.

Colau, 41, an anti-eviction activist and one of the leading lights of the Indigandos protest movement who swept to power in May, had promised to tackle the issue of controlling mass tourism to the Catalan capital.

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(09/07/15 online)

Editorial: Tourist taxBy Jason Moore

Is it back to the drawing board for the new Balearic government´s tourist tax, even before it has been introduced? The coalition government has decided to put the controversial levy on hold until they have sorted out the issue of illegal rentals.

Quite sensibly the new Balearic government doesn´t want anyone to escape the tourist tax loop but I wish them luck in their new crackdown on the so-called illegal holiday rentals.

The previous coalition Balearic government introduced a tourist tax which proved to be a disaster because it was ill-conceived and was only levied on tourists staying in hotels.

This new government appears to have learnt from their past mistakes and are prepared to do their homework first.

But I still maintain that a tourist tax is a very bad idea especially in these competitive times when tourists want value for more money not taxes.

But as I said earlier I am glad that the government is taking a sensible approach to this controversial issue.

It would have been easy just to introduce the tax and then wait for the consequences which would have been enormous. The back-lash would have been enormous.

I would urge the Balearic government to open talks with the tour firms as well to get their views on this issue and also tips on how it should be introduced.

Support is needed from the tourist industry, as well.

I still maintain that the local authorities would raise more money from a voluntary contribution from tourists, but that is another story.

 

[pollensafan]

Re Tourist tax, Never mind put it on hold, it should not even be up for discussion.
Can you imagine the idiots that come up with this stuff. " Hmmm, I have a good idea to raise extra revenue . Lets charge the tourist a fee to allow them to come here and spend their money ".
That my friends is the economics of the mad house.
Memo to government-- " Don't bite the hand that feeds you "

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(10/07/15 online)

FEARS OF PEAK SEASON OVERBOOKING
By Humphrey Carter


There are mounting concerns of overbooking in the Balearics over the next couple of months as British holiday makers turn their attention to the island in the wake of the Tunisia attack and the crisis in Greece.Political and terrorist acts across the Mediterranean have reduced people’s options of where they want to holiday.

There are already reports from travel agents up and down the UK that concerned customers are being offered free cancellations in the wake of the massacre in Tunisia and clients are quickly opting to come to Spain with Majorca and Minorca being the most sought after destinations, followed by Portugal.

But, it is not only Tunisia, to which the Foreign Office has advised Britons not to travel, which is suffering.

Greece’s debt crisis has hit tourism, with last-minute bookings falling sharply, although the impact on the industry may be limited because the flare-up has come late in the season when most summer holidays are already booked.

The Greek Tourism Confederation said yesterday that it has seen a 30 percent drop in last-minute bookings, which typically account for one-fifth of bookings to the country. Travel website Opodo.de said Greece flight bookings from Germany and the UK, which had been tracking the levels of the previous year, suddenly dropped off after 26 June, when talks broke down between Greece and its euro zone creditors.

Between 27 June and 6 July, daily flight bookings have been down most days by around 30-35 percent from the previous year, with one day showing a decrease of 68 percent and again, the Balearics are proving one of the most popular destinations.

But, this sudden swing in the market has sparked fears that there could be problems of overbooking as we enter into the peak of the summer season.

Airlines have denied claims that they have increased flights to the Balearics and other Spanish destinations, but demand in travel agents is driving the market.

And, travel agents have warned the industry to expect a very tough late booking market amid concerns over certain short-haul destinations and reduced capacity.

According to industry sources in the UK, people do not want to go to Turkey, Tunisia or Egypt and now Greece is being crossed off the holiday wish list, so the options for a short haul holiday destination have been significantly reduced and most Britons want to make the most of the strong pound and holiday in the Eurozone with Spain and the Balearics attracting a great deal of interest.

But, the problem is that while there may be extra flight seats available, there may not be the bed spaces and this is when the region could be faced with the problem of overbooking.
Also, due to capacity in the market having been reduced by the troubles, airlines have increased their fares to the most in demand resorts.

Thomas Cook, customers, for example, who were booked to go to Tunisia are allowed to change their holiday free of charge until the end of the summer season (October) and sources said yesterday that the majority of those customers wishing to change their destination are opting for Majorca.

What this could mean is that Majorca enjoys a much busier end to the summer season, which will be welcomed by the local hotel industry and resort businesses - it could also persuade some hoteliers to remain open longer to handle the overspill caused by the insecurity in some of the region’s main competing destinations.

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(10/07/15 online)

LOOK AFTER YOUR PASSPORT

With tens of thousands of British residents living in Spain, and millions of UK visitors coming to Spanish holiday resorts and beaches this summer, the Foreign Office has launched a video campaign to help Britons avoid the threat of passport thieves.

Out of the 15 million British tourists who came to Spain last year, more than 3,000 reported their passports stolen and almost 1,800 reported their passport lost .

Worldwide, more than 20,000 British passports were either lost or stolen in 2014-15.

To make people more aware of the risks, stealth crime expert and ‘Man of Steal’ James Freedman has worked with the Foreign Office to create a series of videos that show the techniques used by passport thieves, and offer advice on how to avoid becoming a victim.

You can watch them on the Foreign Office YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/user/fcotravel.

James Freedman says: “Pickpockets and thieves constantly evolve their techniques and tactics. These videos show just a handful of ways that a pickpocket might attempt to steal from you, so remember some basic advice to stay safe.

“If you don’t need to take your passport with you, leave it in your hotel safe instead. Only carry what you need and keep valuables in a secure pocket. If you have a bag or case, never let it out of your sight.

“Be more alert in crowds and wary of anyone getting too close.

“Finally, try not to advertise the location of prized possessions by patting your pockets or bags.”

Dealing with a lost or stolen passport can be expensive and time-consuming. The victim may need to report the theft to the police, and spend time and money at the local British Consulate getting an emergency travel document.

It is also a good idea to leave a photocopy of your passport with friends or family, or store an electronic copy securely.

If your passport is lost or stolen, you can report it to the Spanish police by calling +34 902 102 112 (a multilingual service).

If you need to travel urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document at the nearest British Consulate (visit www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document or call + 34 917 146 300).

For more information about living in or visiting Spain, go to www.gov.uk or follow the British Consulate on social media via:

Facebook: Brits living in Spain and Brits visiting Spain
Twitter: @BritsliveSpain and @BritsvisitSpain

 

[P&C@29]

tourist tax

I feel, as much as I like coming to PP (31 yrs now), an extra tax to allow me to spend my hard earned money for an Apartment, food, drink, and general enjoyment, is madness. I do think Spain and it's Islands would be the one's to suffer as there are many other places in the Med and elsewhere who would love the extra money from holiday makers, and it is the holiday makers that keep PP and Spain solvent. think of the number of jobs that would go in the square alone. No this idea has not been thought through.

 

[its cd]

Couldn't put it better myself

Travel review: Puerto Pollensa, Majorca - Manchester Evening News

Article in the MEN by their editor Eammon O'Neil a long time pp fan

 

[Sparky]

Pollença wants to improve the level of all its beaches.

This from the DDM Pollença quiere mejorar el nivel de todas sus playas - Diario de Mallorca

Pollença wants to improve the level of all its beaches.

The City Council will encourage future concessionaires to take a comprehensive maintenance of all sand, including virgin.

The new administration of the municipality of Pollença, composed Junts Avançam and UMP, has set the goal of improving the level of maintenance and cleaning of all municipal beaches, including coves that have no services today. In this way, you will benefit next year concessions to end the current call and set a new competition in the specification that all beaches of the municipality are part of the various concessions so they can increase their levels of maintenance and cleaning.

"We want a comprehensive maintenance of all the beaches, services regardless of whether they do or not," he said yesterday the deputy mayor Tomeu Encrypt Bennàssar, head of the Department of Environment. Encrypt explained that today the city of Pollença entered 250,000 euros as fees for the exploitation of the different beaches. "From next year, perhaps the Consistory not enter much money but in return we all beaches in better conditions and maintenance," said the councilman. Thus, the City Council will prioritize the quality on the beaches on the income from their exploitation.

Quality certificates

The municipal head of the Environment made the remarks yesterday in Cala San Vincente to mark the act of hoisting the four blue flags that have achieved the beaches of Cala Molins, Cala Barques, Formentor and Tamarells.

City Council also stressed the importance of retaining international certificates ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 that indicate good beach management and recalled that last year was the first Pollença Balearic local authority in getting these two certificates that include the 17 beaches and bathing areas Township Nord.

During the season these are indicative of quality validated "through compliance with the protocols, the positive assessments of users and current and planned investment in equipment".

Tomeu Encrypt noted that the main tourist source countries such as Germany certificates of quality of beaches "are decisive" in deciding to vacation destinations.

Leer: Pollença quiere mejorar el nivel de todas sus playas - Diario de Mallorca Pollença quiere mejorar el nivel de todas sus playas - Diario de Mallorca
Convierte a tus clientes en tus mejores vendedores: Aumenta tus ventas convirtiendo a tus clientes en tus mejores embajadores

 

[James]

Bradley Wiggins in the latest BA High life magazine:-

Bradley Wiggins on cycling in Europe

Gavin Green

The Tour de France champion and Olympic Gold medallist on why Majorca is his favourite cycling destination, his favourite climb in Provence, and the challenges of competing in the world’s most famous cycling race

Sir Bradley Wiggins is the first Briton to win the Tour de France. His 2012 victory was a highlight of his miracle year, which also included Olympic gold in the time trial, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and a knighthood. Last year he won the world time trial championship. He is missing this year’s Tour de France to concentrate on the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also recently started his own cycling team, Team Wiggins.

What is your favourite cycling destination?

Majorca. It’s like a second home for me. I go there regularly, for training and family holidays. It’s so cycling friendly. There is minimal traffic and hordes of cyclists. Someone told me that there are at least 300,000 cyclists in Majorca at any one time. It’s a terrific place to enjoy riding and for serious training. The weather is also usually great.

[Wiggins normally stays in Port de Pollença on the northeast coast, about an hour’s drive from Palma. It’s right near the Tramuntana mountains, which has the most challenging riding on the island. While in Port de Pollença visit Tolo’s — a beachside restaurant and frequent Wiggo haunt, which displays some of Wiggins’ race-winning bikes and jerseys.]

What is your favourite cycling climb?

Probably Mont Ventoux in Provence. It’s a phenomenal climb, like no other. It’s brutal and amazing. The top is like the moon and there’s that Tommy Simpson memorial that always chokes me [to Britain’s greatest cyclist of the 60s, who died of heat exhaustion climbing that mountain in 1967]. I also like the Col d’Aspin in the Pyrenees, beautiful and greener than most mountains but still a tough climb, and full of Tour de France history.

How tough is it for an amateur cyclist to climb one of the iconic Tour de France mountains?

A fit person can climb these mountains — that’s why the sport appeals to so many people. But it’s a big challenge. Don’t take it lightly. It's like running the London Marathon — you just don’t do that after a couple of light runs. You need to train properly. You also need to go at your own pace.

What single piece of advice would you give to a keen amateur cyclist?

Make sure your bike fits. When people buy a bike they usually don't get them set up properly. The amount of time I ride past someone and say you need to put your saddle up or your handlebars are too high, and they look at me all funny. Get that right and it makes a big difference. The main thing, though, is to enjoy riding. That’s why I do this. I love to ride.

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(27/07/15 online)

Editorial: Spend tourist tax wisely

By Humphrey Carter

As soon as the reintroduction of the tourist tax was mentioned by the new left wing coalition government, the majority of people, individuals to hotel owners and resort business owners began to get hot under the collar.

However, let us not jump the gun. The government has made it clear that it is not going to rush into introducing the tax, it wants the tourist industry as a whole to be properly regulated first so there are no loop holes and all tourists pay the levy.

And, if you have ever been skiing in France over the past 20 years, you would have paid the bed tax, same thing different name and the country is still the most popular ski destination in the world.

Yes, there are going to differing opinions.

Some hotel federations, namely the Playa de Palma, have welcomed the idea, providing money raised is invested in improving resort infrastructure and facilities for local businesses and visitors.

On the other hand, the local environmental organisations would like to see funds raised ploughed into preserving and protecting the environment.

Both are very sensible and valid causes and the government will have to balance carefully where the money goes.

After all, if that money is used to make the Balearics even more special, unique and attractive then most people will not mind spending an extra few euros on a tax if they know the money is being used wisely.

 

[mike_dublin]

Majorca Daily Bulletin
(28/07/15 online)

Council of Majorca wants tourist tax cash


Following the lead of the city council in Palma, which has made a pitch for some of the revenue raised from the tourist eco-tax to be made available for tourism projects there, the president of the Council of Majorca, Miquel Ensenyat, has said that it should also be a participant.

The tax aims to invest in tourism products to make the Balearics more sustainable and competitive, and priority targets, Ensenyat believes, should be those for which the Council has certain responsibilities - heritage, culture and the landscape.

In addition, as the Council seems set to assume devolved responsibilities from the regional government for tourism promotion and organisation, it is even more imperative that a portion of the tax revenue should be managed by the Council.

Ensenyat is convinced that there will be goodwill on behalf of the government in order to arrive at an agreement as to how proceeds from the tax will be applied, given that the tax will enhance the richness and marketing of tourist products, something in which the Council wishes to participate in directly through activities related to, among others, walking and cycling.

Targets he has identified as potential beneficiaries include the mills of the Sant Jordi area of Palma and their restoration as well as routes for gastronomy and the island’s ethnology.

The president, who is the ex-mayor of Esporles in the Tramuntana, has announced that the Council is working on the organisation of a European Meeting of “Excursionists” in 2016 - either in spring or autumn - with the aim of promoting further the hiking routes of Majorca.

This is one of a series of actions related to the environment that are planned for next year and which could represent a “very important” form of promotion for Majorca.

 

[pips]

Majorca Daily Bulletin from today has a new web site with the news etc apparently it's still being tweaked settling in period looking good though. Allows us to keep up to date with the latest goings on.

 

[Belladonna]

It's certainly very eye catching and flashy! I seem to get a lot of flashing adverts in between small bits of news at the moment. Looking forward to the tweaks settling it all down, very modern though!

 

[sws97sdg]

Just seen on FB one of the big pines has fallen over in the square outside cultural, hopefully no one was hurt!!

Ps apparently no one was hurt luckily

 

[Nick]

Wow, the power of social media hey! We were sat at end table of Osteria N15 bordering with Cultural Bar when it happened. It was a big tree. Luckily the top branches hit the building first so it didn't lay flat or it would have been catastrophic. Minor panic but no injuries and bomberos there now chopping it up.

No panicko!