| It's not been a good year for the Spanish holiday | | | | clutching at straws, and the British and European |
| islands, the number of visiting holidaymakers has | | | | mainland economies are still not doing well, there is |
| dropped sharply and family favourite Menorca hasn't | | | | another avenue of tourists that could see a rise in the |
| been spared from the economic downturn. | | | | number of people taking holidays in Menorca next |
| And it's not just the overall economy and worry about | | | | year. |
| job security and future prospects that have hit | | | | The answer could be a rise in the number of Spanish |
| Menorca and the other Spanish holiday islands hard | | | | people visiting Menorca. Just like in Britain where this |
| this year - the British pound has slipped again in value | | | | year many people decided to holiday within their own |
| against the Euro, sometimes coming close to parity. | | | | country because of the poor state of the economy, |
| Menorca while not exclusively reliant on British tourism, | | | | the same is true of Spain, which has also been hit hard |
| or even to the same degree as for example another | | | | by the worldwide recession, and more Spanish people |
| Mediterranean island Malta, does still see a high number | | | | than usual holidayed either on the Spanish mainland or |
| of British tourists in its overall mix, and the island will be | | | | on the Spanish islands like Menorca. |
| hoping that the British economy improves and the | | | | So Menorca could be in a win-win situation. If the |
| number of holidays in Menorca being taken also | | | | economy improves more British people will visit, but if it |
| improves in 2010 compared to this year. | | | | doesn't more Spanish people will. The only flaw is if the |
| But there is optimism on the island that 2010 could see | | | | British economy stays in the doldrums and people |
| a rise in the number of holidaymakers making their | | | | holiday at home, while the Spanish economy bounces |
| way to Menorca for a week or two, and there do | | | | back and the Spanish people opt more for holidays |
| seem to be grounds for that optimism. | | | | outside of the country. It needs to see both countries |
| The chances of a rise in the number of people taking | | | | recover or stay as they are for the Menorca holidays |
| holidays in Menorca next year are increased by the | | | | industry to benefit in 2010. |
| fact that 2009 is a low base to start from, but if | | | | From within Spain, Menorca is easily accessible with |
| Sterling rallies against the Euro that will certainly help, as | | | | many regional airports offering flights to Menorca, plus |
| people return to their favourite destinations instead of | | | | there is the option of driving to Barcelona and getting a |
| deciding upon cheaper options outside the Eurozone | | | | ferry to the island, either as a foot passenger or with a |
| such as Turkey and Egypt. It's election year in Britain | | | | car. |
| next year, and once that is out of the way interest | | | | Ironically if sterling does stay down against the Euro it |
| rates might rise, sending the pound upwards. | | | | could see a rise in the number of Spaniards visiting the |
| With the election due in Britain for around May or June, | | | | UK, while the number of Britons taking Menorca flights |
| it could come just in time for the summer holidays if | | | | declines. |
| people haven't already booked their vacations. | | | | Whichever way the economy goes Menorca is quietly |
| Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Villa Holidays In Minorca | | | | confident that 2010 will see more visitors. |
| But if the hope of a surge in UK visitors seems to be | | | | |