2007 has proved to be a good year for Spanish tourism, and with Majorca doing particularly well, the sister island of Menorca is doing her best not to be overshadowed.
With official figures some way off, the general feeling in the hotels and holidays trade is that, like Majorca, an increase in the number of visitors compared to 2006 is likely.
But privately run companies often have a quicker gauge on market trends than government bodies, and easyJet, one of Europe’s best known airlines, has begun a new route to Menorca from the island’s important UK market. The new route flies from Newcastle in the north-east of England to Menorca’s capital Mahon, and some 5000 holiday makers are anticipated to be using the service during this season. The Newcastle service to Menorca is in addition to the airline’s existing flights in the UK to the island from London’s Gatwick Airport, Liverpool and Bristol.
In a further boost for Menorca, this time from the financial services sector, one of Britain’s best known banks and mortgage provider is to open three new offices on the Spanish islands of the Canaries plus Menorca to meet demand for Britons looking to buy a home in Spain.
The decision by the Halifax was taken from data showing a trend towards Britons buying homes overseas, with Spain the most popular choice.
Part of the decision was to open in Menorca, the quietest of the three Balearic Islands. Commenting on the move a local travel guide commented:
‘While Majorca and Ibiza are possibly better known than Menorca, it’s perhaps not so surprising that the bank has decided to open an office on the island. The typical buyer for property in Menorca is normally older than that for Majorca and Ibiza, which could mean they are hoping to service their investments and pensions along with a normal account – especially for those moving full time to Menorca.’
Commenting on the new bank branch in Menorca, the bank said that the opening of branches away from mainland Spain is an important step in the development of their branch network, and that they will continue to target the Spanish islands in addition to their Spanish mainland business.
Once bought, Menorca villas are often let out to holidaymakers, with the season generally running from May to end September.
The three Balearic Islands of Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza might be close to each other, but they are all different in character and the type of tourist they typically attract.
A surprise is that the amount of time spent on Ibiza by each tourist is longer than on Menorca and Majorca – destroying the myth that Ibiza is primarily for long weekends or short trips for a couple of nights in the club.
Recent findings by the Balearics Tourist Authority show that after Ibiza, Menorca visitors stay on average for 11 days, with Majorca just behind. And the same pattern emerges for spending per day, with Ibiza top, Majorca second, and Menorca last.
The amount spent by Ibiza tourists averaged 94 Euros a day – a huge contribution to the island’s economy, looked on enviously by Majorca and Menorca. But with new banks and flights Menorca might be starting to catch her sisters up.
Posts Tagged ‘Minorca’
Menorca Welcomes New 2007 Brit Tourists
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009Ibiza Welcomes New 2007 Flights
Monday, December 7th, 2009Weekend clubbers from around Europe, and especially from the UK and Germany, descend upon Ibiza in the summer months for a week – and often two – of non stop partying.
Ibiza runs second only to the UK’s main cities of London, Manchester and Liverpool in terms of popularity for clubbers, and some of the Ibiza clubs are as well known as any in the UK.
Demand for flights to Ibiza has been high enough in recent years for a low cost airline to start two new services from the UK to Ibiza, which should see the number of tourists on the island rise this year.
The two new routes are from Edinburgh in Scotland twice weekly, and London’s Luton Airport with both routes offering a daily service.
Announcing the new routes, a spokesman for the airline said that the famous Ibiza club season gets going at the end of June, and is still the best place to party in Europe. For the quiet life, head inland to the north coast of the island, where you’ll find some of Spain’s most beautiful landscape rolling into the Mediterranean.
Talking about Ibiza’s neighbouring island and equally well known holiday destination Majorca, where they have been offering a low cost service for some years, the airline said of Majorca’s capital, Palma, that it is the elegant and cosmopolitan capital of Majorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, and is known for its beaches, climate, cultural and traditional influences. The warm climate of Palma makes it a popular destination, with something for everyone.
As well as Majorca and Ibiza, the airline also offers a service to the third Balearic Island, Menorca.
‘Of the three Balearic Islands, Menorca is known as the quiet one, the type of island where you take your family on holiday if there aren’t any mid to late teens who need entertaining, which would be more suited to Majorca. Ibiza is well known in Europe as a clubbing destination.’ Say one travel guide for Menorca and Majorca.
Menorca villas are often let out to holidaymakers, with the season generally running from May to end September.
As part of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has welcomed many visitors back to live full time on the island. Menorca property has proved popular too, for those looking for a gentler pace of life than big sister Mallorca.
Property prices in Mallorca are similar to Menorca property, with a range of apartments and villas in both rural and town locations, and with twenty golf courses plenty of golf course developments too on Mallorca.
Menorca has just the one golf course, recently extended to eighteen holes, and is located in Son Park, which has a choice of hotels, apartments and villas for holiday makers.
The three Balearic Islands of Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza might be close to each other, but they are all different in character and the type of tourist they typically attract.
A surprise is that the amount of time spent on Ibiza by each tourist is longer than on Menorca and Majorca – destroying the myth that Ibiza is primarily for long weekends or short trips for a couple of nights in the club.
The findings by the Balearics Tourist Authority show that after Ibiza, Menorca visitors stay on average for 11 days, with Majorca just behind. And the same pattern emerges for spending per day, with Ibiza top, Majorca second, and Majorca last.
The amount spent by Ibiza tourists averaged 94 Euros a day – a huge contribution to the island’s economy, which could be furthered with the new routes from London and Edinburgh.
Yachting World Boost For Menorca 2007 Tourism
Sunday, December 6th, 2009The Spanish island of Menorca has long been regarded as the quietest of the three islands that make up the Spanish Balearics, but the holiday isle, much favoured by British and other European tourists, is set to steal the limelight for a while at least with the King’s Cup for Classic Yachts.
The sailing regatta is due to be held in the Port of Mahon – Mahon is the capital of Menorca – ideally suited for sailing and one of the world’s best known deep water harbours.
The harbour is often a port of call for cruise ships touring the Mediterranean.
The Classic Yachts Weekend includes three different classes of boat. Vintage yachts, which were launched before 1949, Claasic Yachts that were built before 1975, and at the organisers’ discretion Spirit of Tradition Yachts.
The timing of the weekend is good for Menorca. Visitor numbers have been down in recent years, and in an attempt to lengthen the season and make up numbers the island is trying to extend her normal peak times from May to September to April through October.
It has also seen the success of similar yacht events in neighbouring Mallorca.
This summer’s SuperYacht Cup off Mallorca will be the most competitive for the yachts since the event began ten years ago.
With 40 entries so far, and another 20 possibles by the time the yachting weekend comes along, will ensure races to remember both for the yacht crews and spectactors, with plenty of social events organised for the evenings.
The organisers have appointed a Race Officer for this year’s event, to move the image from one of fun and socialisng, to that of a serious yacht competition, with the social side as active as ever.
The new officer has experience of helping to organise regattas in Cowes, on the UK’s Isle of Wight, one of the most famous locations in the yachting world, has sailing experience himself and brings to the Mallorca Supercup a drive and level of experience necessary to meet the organisers ambitions. Menorca might need a person of similar calibre to promote her own events.
As part of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has welcomed many visitors back to live full time on the island. Menorca property has proved popular too, for those looking for a gentler pace of life than big sister Mallorca.
Property prices in Mallorca are similar to Menorca property, with a range of apartments and villas in both rural and town locations, and with twenty golf courses plenty of golf course developments too on Mallorca.
Menorca has just the one golf course, recently extended to eighteen holes, and is located in Son Park, which has a choice of hotels, apartments and villas for holiday makers.
The cost of flying to Mallorca has come down in recent years from most European countries due to low cost airlines, especially in the island’s core tourist areas of the United Kingdom and Germany, and last year easyJet started direct flights from London’s Gatwick Airport to the sister island of Menorca, as well as serving Mallorca itself.
Despite competition from other destinations, Mallorca looks set to remain a favourite holiday spot for some time to come, and Menorca will hope that some of her success is passed onto her sister island in the Balearic Islands.
Making the Move to Menorca
Friday, December 4th, 2009Millions of people per year go to the Balearic Island of Menorca to relax, unwind and get away from it all. But why are so many people now buying property in Menorca? There could be several reasons ranging from second homes, beach homes or even investment properties. People in general love the culture and evident history Menorca proudly displays.
Menorca’s Culture
The primary languages spoken on Menorca today are Catalan and Spanish. Due to her colorful past, some of the most vibrant celebrations in the world are held on Menorca. Two of the most famous and traditional summertime festivals are:
* Sant Joan, held in Ciutadella on June 24 includes the beautiful Menorcan horse as an integral part of the event.
* Dia de Virgen de Carmen is the feast of the patron saint of sailors. This festival is held all over the Balearic Islands in mid July.
The Menorcan horse has been carefully bred to have a very elegant shape and a coat of blackest black. Its main and tail are long, black and silky. These horses are a very prominent part of most Menorcan festivals, as they are a very distinct reminder of the island’s history and culture.
Healthy Mediterranean Diet
Gin is a favorite drink, especially during festes when it is mixed with bitter lemon. The resulting drink is called Pomada, locally. Low to moderate amounts of wine are consumed as well. The Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals and locally grown potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds. Olive oil is a very important source of monounsaturated fat in the Menorcan diet. Red meats are very rarely included in the typical Mediterranean diet, while fish, poultry and dairy products are consumed in low to moderate amounts.
Lower incidences of heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the Mediterranean are believed to be due to the diet. The Menorcan lifestyle is generally more active than other parts of the world, resulting in lower death rates as well as lower obesity rates. In fact, Menorca is home to several citizens who are over 100 years old.
Menorca’s History
Menorca was named by the Romans. The name aptly means ‘Little One’. It is the smaller of the Balearic Islands. Majorca means ‘Large One’ and is the largest of the Balearics. Menorca’s documented history dates back to around 2100 BC and some of the oldest structures on the island are believed to be approximately 3,500 years old. More than 200 towers, believed to have been siege towers, still stand.
Menorca is home to a very large collection of megalithic structures. Some of the monuments include navetas, or chamber tombs, that date back to the early Bronze Age. Taules are t-shaped stone monuments that include a tall vertical stone with a long horizontal stone lying on top of it. At least 274 talaiots have been found on the island. A talaiot is a stone structure that was used for defensive purposes. Other possible purposes are not clearly defined or even understood.
Menorca has been a strategic point for refugees, pirates and leaders staging attacks on other countries. It has been under the rule of many distant civilizations including the Romans, the Moors, Britain, Spain, and even no official rule at all in its earliest days. The many coves and beaches provided shelter and a home for pirates. Evidence of piracy can be found in the waters surrounding the island. Divers often enjoy the ability to witness this little part of the past.
British Banks Open For Spanish Property
Thursday, November 5th, 2009One of Britain’s best known banks and mortgage providers is to open three new offices on the Spanish islands of the Canaries plus the Balearic island of Menorca to meet demand for Britons looking to buy a home in Spain.
The decision by the Halifax was taken from data showing a trend towards Britons buying homes overseas, with Spain the most popular choice.
Part of the expansion decision was to open in Menorca, the quietest of the three Balearic Islands. Commenting on the move a local travel guide commented:
‘While Majorca and Ibiza are possibly better known than Menorca, it’s perhaps not so surprising that the bank has decided to open an office on the island. The typical buyer for property in Menorca is often older than that for Majorca and Ibiza, which could mean they are hoping to service their investments and pensions along with a normal account – especially for those moving full time to Menorca.’
Commenting on the new bank branch in Menorca, the company said that the opening of branches away from mainland Spain is an important step in the development of their branch network, and that they will continue to target the Spanish islands in addition to their Spanish mainland business.
Once bought, Menorca villas are often let out to holidaymakers, with the season generally running from May to end September.
As one of the Balearic Islands Menorca is situated close to better known Majorca, which like Menorca has welcomed many visitors back to live full time on the island. Menorca property has proved popular too, for those looking for a gentler pace of life than big sister Majorca.
Property prices in Majorca are similar to Menorca property, with a range of apartments and villas in both rural and town locations, and with twenty golf courses plenty of golf course developments too.
Menorca has just the one golf course, recently extended to eighteen holes, and is located in Son Park, which has a choice of hotels, apartments and villas for holiday makers.
The cost of flying to Menorca and Majorca has come down in recent years from most European countries due to low cost airlines, especially in the island’s core tourist areas of the United Kingdom and Germany, and last year easyJet started direct flights from London’s Gatwick Airport to Menorca, having served Majorca for some years already.
The third island in the Balearics is Ibiza, which in turn attracts a different age group and property buyer compared to Menorca and Majorca.
Clubbers from around Europe, and especially from the UK, descend upon Ibiza in the summer months for a week – and often two – of non stop partying.
Ibiza runs second only to the UK’s main cities of London, Manchester and Liverpool in terms of popularity for clubbers, and some of the Ibiza clubs are as well known as any in the UK, with some clubbers visiting frequently enough to consider buying an apartment on the island.
Demand for flights to Ibiza has been high enough in recent years for a low cost airline to start two new services from the UK to Ibiza, which should see the number of tourists on the island rise this year.
The two new routes are from Edinburgh in Scotland twice weekly, and London’s Luton Airport with both routes offering a daily service. This will be an attraction for those considering buying a property on one of the Spanish islands, and this in time will again attract the British banks to open new offices to cater for those considering buying an apartment or villa.