C.M.W.Maó26/07/10 0:00
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In contrast to the ports of Palma and Ibiza, Maó has seen a drop in the number of cruise ships using its facilities so far this year. To date, a total of 42 liners have berthed in the harbour, compared to 64 during the same period last year, a drop of 34%, according to the Balearic Port Authorities's statistics.

Between 1st January and 22nd July both Ibiza and Palma saw an increase in cruise ship visits, of 9.8% and 26% respectively.

Although the Port Authorities have stated that the second half of the year will see an increase in cruise ship traffic in Maó, the year will still end with 3.53% fewer visits, 109 compared to 113 in 2009. The other two major ports in the archipelago will end the year on a far more positive note, Palma increasing its share of the lucrative market by 31% and Ibiza by 15%.

Air transport

Following further flight disruption during the week (four cancellations and twenty delays on Thursday alone), Menorcan tourist associations have called for a speedy solution to the conflict with air traffic controllers to avoid repercussions on the tourist sector at the height of the season. The Menorcan Hoteliers' Association, ASHOME, urged the minister José Blanco to find an answer before the financial loss becomes too great for a sector which has already seen losses as a result of the closure of airports due to the volcanic ash cloud.

The president of CEHAT (the Spanish Confederation for Hotels and Accommodation), Juan Molas, sent a letter to the Government last week offering help in unblocking the situation and pointing out that last year, in the month of August alone, some 21 million passengers passed through Spanish airports, two-thirds of whom were foreign tourists. In his view the current situation could result in travel problems for foreign and national tourists and cause irreparable damage to Spain's image abroad. Added to this are comments made by various spokesmen for professional groups, questioning the safety of measures adopted by the Government and further harming Spain's image as a tourist destination. He warned that if the conflict continues it could result in losses of over 15,000 million euros for a sector which accounts for around 11% of the gross domestic product.

In Molas's opinion, a "quick solution" to the air traffic controllers' dispute would be the only way to guarantee that the predictions for a recovery in the season are fulfilled and also to strengthen the Spanish tourist sector's position against its international competitors.