A Bad Start

I suppose the last thing you hope for, when things appear a tad gloomy, is that someone, a tourist, loses his life as the consequence of a street brawl. But that is what has happened in Puerto Alcúdia. I don't wish to go into the circumstances of the incident - it has been reported in the press, for example in "The Daily Mail" as well as locally - but it should be emphasised that this can happen anywhere. It's a facile thing to say, but it is the case. Let's not even begin to characterise this as an "Alcúdia problem", because it is not. It's very sad that it has occurred, and that's the extent of it.


In looking to boost the tourism season, the Balearic Government's Minister for Tourism, Miquel Nadal, is investing four million euros for promotions in the key Spanish and British markets. Well, not the minister personally, but the government. This announcement seems a little curious. Curious because I was under the impression it was always meant to happen. I'm not sure why quite a splash is being made of it, this "it" including his tennis-playing namesake appearing in TV ads and a special push being made in Manchester. A few months ago, it was said that Manchester would be a particular target. There will be a "show" which shows off everything good about the Balearics - from food to recreational activities - similar to ones that have already taken place in Madrid and Berlin. This show will run for three days from 1 May. First of May. Isn't this a little late? Maybe not. And hopefully not. But does a "show" in the centre of one city make a huge difference? Seems a bit unlikely, but as they've done them in the other cities maybe they have had an effect. I can't help feeling that for all the promotion, on TV or elsewhere, with Rafa Nadal or not, that right now the thing which would have most impact would be significant price incentives. General advertising of the Balearics-have-all-these-wonderful-things-to-do nature is a longer-term style of brand promotion. What is needed is some blatant short-termism. Price, price and more price.


More on the U-turn over the Puerto Pollensa pedestrianisation. You will now be able to do a U-turn if you wish to and be able, once again, to go in both directions. The other U-turn, that by the town hall, was not "linked", says the transport consortium, to its report (according to "The Diario"). The consortium, which is a kind of quango I suppose, goes on to say that it was willing to "study and negotiate" in respect of the siting of bus stops, which was cited as the reason for the abandonment of the pedestrianisation project. Whatever. I'm not sure that anyone much cares whether it was linked or it wasn't. The town hall is for turning, and many will be pleased that it is.


QUIZ
Yesterday's title - MGMT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE). No question today. Doesn't seem appropriate.

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