C.M.W..MaóWithin the framework of FITUR (the international tourist trade fair being held in Madrid) the Balearic Government is to present a plan for diversifying tourism, designed to project an attractive and varied image of the islands abroad. This is an ambitious initiative which will promote new ideas for holidays as an alternative to the "sun and beach" package. No details have yet been released regarding the contents of the plan which will be unveiled on "Balearic Day" at the fair, but the Councillor for Tourism, Joan Flaquer, said that the Government had received support from "civilian society" in developing it and that its objective was to attract tourists outside the "high season".
The Councillor is optimistic about this coming season and predicts that this year will see an increase in the number of tourists visiting the Balearic Islands, bettering last year´s figure of 10.1 million visitors.
During FITUR an agreement is to be signed between IBATUR (the Balearic Islands´ Tourist Board) and Turespaña (responsible for tourism in Spain) under which the two parties will jointly provide 6 million euros to promote the islands abroad. This money will be used to finance a special promotional campaign targeted at citizens and tour companies in Poland, the U.K. and Germany.
Climate Change Concerns
Representatives of the hotel sector in the Balearic Islands have called for an investigation to be carried out into the possible effects of climate change on the tourist trade, so that long-term plans of action can be drawn up.
Warmer temperatures in the months before and after the height of summer plus hotter days in July and August could result in tourists choosing to come to the islands earlier or later in the year, thus effectively lengthening the season.
