United We Stand

We. Rather they. United they stand. The hotel associations of Alcúdia and Can Picafort have joined forces. Confronted with the worst low season ever, with even fewer hotels open than is normally the case - and there never have exactly been many - the combined might of the two associations, so they say, will act to pressure and lobby the two town halls (of Alcúdia and Santa Margalida) and other institutions in order to exert more influence. Among the things they are looking for are improved public transport and a re-development of Alcúdia's front line.

Fine. So, the two associations have got together. What's it really likely to achieve? Anyone's guess. And isn't there something missing? Such as another hotel association? The one for Playa de Muro that covers the area between Alcúdia and Can Picafort. Maybe no-one invited them. It seems a little odd that it should not be included.

One thing seems sure; the two associations are not about to somehow merge into one. They will continue with their own identities and pursue their own campaigns, based on differences that the two resorts have to offer. So, you then, again, have to ask, what will this achieve? Far better might be if they came out with some plan of their own - in combination - for stimulating off-season tourism (and they might also include high season while they are at it). Otherwise, one senses the creation of yet another talking-shop. Moreover, what precisely is this lobbying of the town halls? The respective associations can talk to their respective town halls, but there's no point in them talking to another town hall. Why should it listen? If there is to be some united front, then the town halls would need to band together themselves, and certainly drag in Muro as well.

Then there is this desire for a re-development of Alcúdia's front line. What has this got to do with Can Picafort - its hotels or its town hall? Were it the case that hotel groups representing both resorts were involved, then maybe one could sense some sort of cohesion. But one of the directors photographed at the gathering by "The Diario" is he of the only Sol Meliá hotel in either resort (a hotel, incidentally, that does not open in winter), so that theory would seem to fall by the board.

It doesn't, on the face of it, seem to amount to very much, other than as a way of publicising the poor state of northern zone off-season tourism. And we knew that already.


The resignation of Miquel Nadal does not help the more general tourism scene. Despite the occasional criticism of Nadal, he has actually enjoyed a good enough relationship with groups such as the Mallorcan hotel federation. Representatives of tourism associations have been quick to express their regret at Nadal's demise. Charges levelled at Nadal that he should have done more by way of spending promotional money are somewhat facile; he could only work with what he was allocated. But herein lies the rub. Tourism should be at the top of the local governmental list when it comes to priorities. President Antich, who had talked of a streamlining of government, should take the opportunity of Nadal's resignation to perform a restructuring, either taking on tourism responsibility directly or creating a beefed-up tourism post. "The Bulletin", noting that there have now been two minsterial departures in the tourism department in recent months, argues that someone from outside the government should be given charge of tourism. Unlikely to happen, and even if it were, if an appointment from business were to be made, it would probably come from a business sector with its own specific interests - like the hotels.

Nadal's position, as we know, had become untenable. It was interesting to learn in "The Bulletin", according to the Calvia councillor for tourism, that it had become "unattainable" (and this councillor is British by the way). Perhaps that's it, tourism is unattainable; Can Picafort and Alcúdia hoteliers, please note.


QUIZ
Yesterday's title - Sly And The Family Stone, http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xyx71_sly-the-family-stone-family-affair_music. Today's title - first line of what and who was it originally? The actual title could also apply.

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