Jet2.com and Jet2holidays CEO Steve Heapy has revealed the Balearic island of Mallorca is his favourite destination, adding he thinks it’s so good, it can’t be improved.
He made the revelation in an interview with the island’s daily English-language news service Majorca Daily Bulletin during World Travel Market London last week.
Steve said: “Mallorca is my favourite destination in the world. It is somewhere that you cannot improve as a destination. I know that our customers feel the same way.”
He said recent anti-tourism protests on the island have had no impact on bookings whatsoever, adding: “Mallorca continues to enjoy the same popularity as always.”
He said unlicenced tourism rather than responsible tour operators are to blame for problems such as a shortage of local houses and rising costs, and he warned it is ‘important to remember they [holidaymakers] make an enormous contribution to the local economy’.
“Jet2holidays works with licenced accommodation providers in holiday resorts meaning that we do not negatively impact house prices. It also means that we continue to make a positive contribution to local economies. We have urged local governments to stamp down on the unlicensed tourism market and we continue to call for this,” he said.
Steve also sounded caution on tourist taxes, after the Balearic Government announced it plans to raise the rate during peak season from next year.
“Introducing a tax such as this comes with a lot of risk, as it can impact demand,” he said. “Tourism is such a huge part of the economy, so to tax it sends out the wrong message to customers. If you give the impression that you do not want holidaymakers or that you want to hit them in the pocket, the risk is that you drive them to visit somewhere else instead.”
Asked about Mallorca’s plans to become a year-round destination, Steve said: “Our flying programme is weighted to the summer season however, we continue to invest in developing the winter season too.
“To support this investment and to attract customers, it is critical that hotels, local authorities, bars and restaurants commit to providing the same level of service in the shoulder seasons as they do in the summer. It is unacceptable to expect a holidaymaker to stay in a hotel or resort where bars and restaurants are closed, and the level of service is diminished.”
Jet2holidays was the first UK operator to sign Mallorca’s Responsible Tourism pledge, which Steve said made the company ‘very proud’.
“We want people to continue enjoying this beautiful island for years to come, so it is important that we all preserve the nature, values and beauty of Majorca whilst ensuring the long-term prosperity of the island for visitors and residents,” he said.
The post Jet2 boss reveals his favourite holiday destination appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
He made the revelation in an interview with the island’s daily English-language news service Majorca Daily Bulletin during World Travel Market London last week.
Steve said: “Mallorca is my favourite destination in the world. It is somewhere that you cannot improve as a destination. I know that our customers feel the same way.”
He said recent anti-tourism protests on the island have had no impact on bookings whatsoever, adding: “Mallorca continues to enjoy the same popularity as always.”
He said unlicenced tourism rather than responsible tour operators are to blame for problems such as a shortage of local houses and rising costs, and he warned it is ‘important to remember they [holidaymakers] make an enormous contribution to the local economy’.
“Jet2holidays works with licenced accommodation providers in holiday resorts meaning that we do not negatively impact house prices. It also means that we continue to make a positive contribution to local economies. We have urged local governments to stamp down on the unlicensed tourism market and we continue to call for this,” he said.
Steve also sounded caution on tourist taxes, after the Balearic Government announced it plans to raise the rate during peak season from next year.
“Introducing a tax such as this comes with a lot of risk, as it can impact demand,” he said. “Tourism is such a huge part of the economy, so to tax it sends out the wrong message to customers. If you give the impression that you do not want holidaymakers or that you want to hit them in the pocket, the risk is that you drive them to visit somewhere else instead.”
Asked about Mallorca’s plans to become a year-round destination, Steve said: “Our flying programme is weighted to the summer season however, we continue to invest in developing the winter season too.
“To support this investment and to attract customers, it is critical that hotels, local authorities, bars and restaurants commit to providing the same level of service in the shoulder seasons as they do in the summer. It is unacceptable to expect a holidaymaker to stay in a hotel or resort where bars and restaurants are closed, and the level of service is diminished.”
Jet2holidays was the first UK operator to sign Mallorca’s Responsible Tourism pledge, which Steve said made the company ‘very proud’.
“We want people to continue enjoying this beautiful island for years to come, so it is important that we all preserve the nature, values and beauty of Majorca whilst ensuring the long-term prosperity of the island for visitors and residents,” he said.
The post Jet2 boss reveals his favourite holiday destination appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
