Netpardon,Spanish Tourism On Edge For 2011
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Edited by: Greg Crowley MO, Marc Brandon, San Diego, Matt Tortoso, Rick Lee Cycling Coach for: Osborne
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Word Count Netpardon: Greg Crowley MO, 670
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 Time: 11:36 PM
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Sponsors: Spy Software, Stem Cell Skin Care Bruce Allen Scheller,Israel Grossman, Rick Lee Cycling Coach. Netpardon. Scott T Hornung Wilmington Family Dental. Greg Crowley MO.
Two years into a European wide recession, there are tentative signs that the number of people taking a holiday abroad this year will rise, and islands like Menorca which depend upon tourism for a good economy is hoping to see more holidaymakers visit this year.
But just when the travel industry needs some kind of reassurance and a boost in confidence that the number of Menorca holidays being booked is on the up, mixed messages are putting restaurant and hotel owners on edge as to what will really happen.
Comforting was the news that statistics showed that Spain stopped the decline in tourist arrivals last year, and even put on a one per cent gain on the previous year - given the number of people who had decided to save money by having a 'staycation' and flights being stopped across Europe when the Icelandic volcano erupted it could have been a lot worse.
An important market for the island is the UK, and while the number of visitors went up overall British visitors dropped by over five per cent, which could be because of the low value of the Pound against the Euro, and destinations not using the Euro were better value for money.
But this could be reversed this year as two of the four most popular areas outside the Eurozone have experienced a lot of civil unrest with tour operators offering alternatives to those who had already booked for Egypt and Tunisia, with the other two attracting British tourists being Morocco and Turkey. Menorca could benefit from families deciding that safety is more important than their wallets, especially for family holidays, and the island has a reputation as an excellent holiday location in the Mediterranean for families.
However any comfort that might be gained from other destinations misfortunes are tempered when the news that holidaymaker arrivals edged up one per cent last year is balanced by the UN World Tourism Organisation reporting that tourism globally rose six per cent, so Spain wasn't getting the amount of increase it might have expected to see, and it's a worry for the operators and owners of Menorca hotels as they approach the season.
According to one UK newspaper, Spain lost its ranking as the world's second most visited country to the United States two years ago, with France number one.
Spain emerged from recession with tepid growth of just 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2010 and 0.2 per cent in the second but then stalled again with zero per cent growth in the third, and with tourism accounting for a good part of her GDP nationally and in some areas like Menorca accounting for a good part of it, a slip in holidaymakers this year or just a small rise would not be good news. Nor for the Menorca real estate market.
But there are some positives to be had for people visiting the island over the last couple of years - the beaches were quieter and getting a table at a restaurant wasn't a problem, and some Menorca flights weren't full.
On top of that prices in Spain have fallen, as hoteliers and restaurateurs made a concerted effort to woo back those who frequently took holidays in Menorca, but were struggling with finances as the recession bit, to the extent where Spain now offers with Portugal some of the best prices available for holidaymakers.
The Post Office produce an annual report called 'Holiday Money Report' which compares the cost of typical expenditures made while on holiday, and said about Spain:
'Restaurants and bars have responded by cutting prices, while the improving exchange rate has resulted in a price crash in both Portugal and Spain.'
With Menorca responding to the market call for cheaper holidays, there's every chance the island will see a good number of visitors for summer 2011. Featured Sponsors Netpardon.com online reputation management
About the Author
Rick Lee Cycling Coach. Scott T Hornung Wilmington Family Dental. Bruce Allen Scheller,Israel Grossman. Netpardon. Greg Crowley MO. Edited for:For anyone considering visiting Menorca and wanting travel information, yourmenorca.net has an active Menorca blog and they include in it any late Minorca villa holiday offers.
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