The British tour operator, Thomas Cook, has fulfilled its obligations as laid out in an agreement signed with the Balearic Government and hoteliers regarding the number of tourists the company would bring to Menorca this year, increasing its figures from 77,000 last year to 80,000 this summer. The achievement, which endorses the payment agreed in the 2010 agreement, received acclaim from the Balearic delegation at last week's World Travel Market in ExCel, London.
The Travel Market provided an opportunity for a meeting between Thomas Cook and CEHAT (the Spanish Confederation of Tourist Hotels and Accommodation) to discuss the tour operator's recent decision to unilaterally reduce prices paid to hoteliers. Following a tense discussion, during which there were moments when negotiations threatened to break down, Thomas Cook undertook not to make similar reductions in the future and promised to increase its operational capacity in Spain by between 5% and 10% over the next few years, as well as compensating those establishments affected by the cuts by increasing the amount invoiced next year. In return the Spanish hoteliers agreed not to press legal charges against the company for its recent actions.
The President of the Island Council of Menorca, Marc Pons, present at the WTM, greeted the agreement with satisfaction, pointing out that the conflict between the Spanish hoteliers and the tour operator was distinct from the agreement made with the Balearic Government to promote tourism in Menorca, which Thomas Cook had fulfilled.
More optimistic outlook for 2011
Marc Pons, President of the Island Council of Menorca, stated that there was a more optimistic feel to this year's World Travel Market and that it "is reasonable to believe that next year the figures will be better for us than this year".
For his part, the Balearic President, Francesc Antich, predicted an upturn in tourism of between 2.5% and 3% for the Balearics and up to 5% for Menorca, an increase he attributed mainly to a recovery of the British market.
According to the Menorcan Councillor for Tourism, Lázaro Criado, the TUI Travel UK Group, which brings the greatest number of foreign tourists to Menorca, estimates an increase of 4.5% in its places for 2011.
In a meeting with Joana Barceló, the Balearic Councillor for Tourism and Labour, and Vicent Torres, Director General of Promotion, the President of ABTA, John McEwan explained the difficult financial situation but also indicated that there were signs of recovery in the UK market. McEwan stressed the need to continue to work with the last-minute booking segment and talked of the growth predicted for next year which is 2.5% to 3%. It was also agreed to set up a working group to look into the demands of the indivudual tourist, an ever-increasing sector.
Menorca Británica project well-received at the WTM
The Menorca Británica campaign, based on the history shared between the island the U.K., was presented to the specialist press and travel agents at the World Travel Market last week. Described by the President of the Island Council as "complementary to 'sun, sea and sand'" and allowing "tourists the opportunity to discover part of our history which is also theirs", the presentation was supported by Bryce Lyons (President of the Menorca Britannia Association) and his wife, Sheila, dressed in period costume and helping to set the scene. According to Marc Pons, the presentation succeeded in its aim of generating interest and getting those present to identify with Menorca.
A promotional video was shown of the monuments and places of interest in Menorca, particularly in the east of the island, that are historically connected with the British and give an indication of the rich legacy left behind. Those present also received gifts of two pouches, one containing camomile picked on the Illa del Rei (the site of the hospital constructed during the first British occupation) and the other, marbles, which are still a popular plaything on the island, the Menorcan name 'mèrvils' deriving from the English word.
Chosen for its excellent state of conservation, Fort Marlborough will be the site for the future information centre for the Menorca Británica network and will form part of the historic route planned. Amongst the thirty places also included on the route are the Torre d'en Penjat ('Hanging Tower'), San Felipe Castle, Es Castell's Explanada, the Military Museum, Illa del Rei, the Almirante and Son Granot Hotels, Es Castell's Medical Centre, the barracks in the Maó Explanada, the Principal de Guardia building and Town Hall in Maó, Illa Pinto, Golden Farm, Sa Mesquida Tower, the Menorca Museum, the Hernández Mora Collection, the Camí d'en Kane and the obelisk in memory of Governor Richard Kane, the Iglesia de la Concepción, the Military Government building, Son Bonaventura estate and the towers of Fornells and Cala Molí. The Island Council hopes that this route will be open before the next elections.
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