ISSUE NO. 1409
5 - 11 JULY 2012
WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
500,000 tourists may be greeted by strikes By Amanda Surber MORE than 500,000 tourists travelling through Mallorca on the weekend of July 20 could be met with difficulties as a result of hotel and transport strikes. July 20 is the proposed date for hotel strikes while July 21 and 22 are reserved for various transport strikes. Son Sant Joan airport have estimated approximately 400,000
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passengers during said weekend, Saturday being an especially busy day; however, approximately 158,000 passengers and 890 flights will be added by that date. Palma Port may also enter into the airport’s estimations if it is affected as it was during last year’s strike when it was forced to cancel cruises. Sylvia Riera, travel agent with Balears Aviba, described the
Mood serves up another tasty dish STAFF and clients at Mood Beach Bar and Restaurant think the judges of the Mister Balearics competition missed a trick last weekend. Joan Mir (pictured) a member of the team of chefs at Mood Beach, was voted as first runner-up in the hotly fought competition, behind Johnathan Plaza who was crowned this year’s Mister Baleares. “We’re very proud of Joan,” said Margaret Whittaker OBE, the owner of Mood, “he’s not only a very handsome young man, but a great chef and a really nice guy.” Hands off though, girls, he’s taken! FAVOURITE CHEF: Joan Mir.
various unions’ intentions as “unacceptable because they are playing with the island’s economic interests. Now is not the time for strikes. As cancellations and lack of sales show, damage has already been done by announcing it.” British and German tour operators, ABTA and DRV respectively, are also concerned about the damaging effect the strikes could potentially have on not only the tourism of Mallorca, but also the economic consequences. Managers Inmaculada de Benito and Salvador Servera declared: “We are going to negotiate until the last minute.”
Internet job scam halted NATIONAL POLICE have arrested and charged 35 scammers who worked out of Palma, ripping off 1,000 people by falsely offering them jobs. Among the 35 arrested were the three leaders of the scam, a Spaniard, a Colombian, and an Ecuadorian. They led an operation to take advantage of individuals all over Spain who were searching for work via the internet. Victims who responded to online advertisements were tricked into giving ID and bank account details. The members involved in the operation stole a total of €500,000.
FRONT EXTRA
New arrivals area open PALMA DE MALLORCA AIRPORT opened its improved arrivals area to travellers after completing the first phase of refurbishment. Car rental companies and tourist information centres have moved onto the floor that is dedicated to arriving passengers.
Immigrants held POLICE arrested nine immigrants who were trying to reach the coast between Cap Ses Salines and s’Almonia cove in a dinghy. They will be deported to Algeria, their country of origin.
Fare woes PUBLIC transport fare increases have caused discontent among users of urban trains, metros and buses in Palma. A simple train ticket now costs between €1.50 and €3.50 and commuters are expressing their frustration.
Medical delays PATIENTS may have to wait longer this summer as operating theatres in Mallorca hospitals are reduced by half and health centres close their doors at 5.30pm. As a result, people may find delays in medical services.