News reports 2016.

[mike_dublin]

Coach operators concerned about foreign competitors » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin

The Balearic Transport Businesses Federation (FEBT) is concerned about foreign transport operators entering the Majorcan market;
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One of these companies is Portugal's Greenbus. It has two parking spaces at Palma airport and plans to undertake the movement of more than 400,000 European tourists on behalf of the British operator Hoppa.

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It isn't only coach operators, as the French Drivy has entered the local market as a competitor to car-hire firms. It enables private individuals to hire out their cars and operates in a similar style to Airbnb for accommodation and Uber.

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see full story on the MDB website

[Nick]

The French, that's a laugh. The drivers will go on strike the next day!

[mike_dublin]

Ten per cent VAT to be charged on the tourist tax » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin

There have been rumours circulating that IVA (VAT) would be charged on the tax, as it is in Catalonia, and the Bulletin can confirm today that the rumours are true.

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A new website is going to launched to provide maximum clarity and detailed information about how the estimated 80 million euros raised per year by the tourist tax is spent.

Due to its late introduction, only 50 million euros is going to be collected this year, and of course, 10 per cent more is going to be in VAT.

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see full article on the MDB-website

[mike_dublin]

Rajoy advocates restoring Greenwich Mean Time in Spain » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin

Mariano Rajoy has said that moving Spain back to Greenwich Mean Time would result in a "better quality of life" for Spaniards.


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Acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has pledged to do something about it and to change the clocks, putting Spain in line with Portugal, the Canary Islands and the UK on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

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see full article on the MDB-website

[sws97sdg]

Originally Posted by mike_dublin

Rajoy advocates restoring Greenwich Mean Time in Spain » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin



see full article on the MDB-website

Very interesting!!

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by mike_dublin

Rajoy advocates restoring Greenwich Mean Time in Spain » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin



see full article on the MDB-website

My first thought is.........flipping heck i've got to change all the clocks again!!!! .

[Roy&Myra]

Now that would be Good
Extra hour of Sunshine every day
Corrie and Stenders on at normal times.
Be able to stay up later As the old Midnight would only be 11 PM
Bring it on
Oh another Large Gin And Tonic Please
See It would be good for trade

[Molt de Renou]

Better for us workers as well.

[Nick]

Blimey MdR, how do you fit in work with all your forum contributions?!

[Molt de Renou]

The boss keeps asking me the same question.

[Nick]

Can only be a plus as far as I'm concerned. Us visitors will immediately gain an extra hour in PP and not have to adjust our watches, clocks etc.
Bring it on...

[mike_dublin]

Housing crisis in Pollensa because of holiday rentals » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin

The boom in holiday rentals has unleashed a housing crisis without precedent in the north of Majorca. Finding an apartment to rent in Pollensa, a town which has long been one of the principal destinations for holiday rentals, is now almost impossible. Hundreds of workers in the tourism industry are looking round the clock for somewhere to rent, but the market has dried up and the crisis of lack of accommodation extends to the next bay and to Alcudia, Playa de Muro and Can Picafort.

A consequence is that prices are starting to shoot up in the island's interior. Rental in Inca has risen by an average of 200 euros over the past six months, but the problem goes beyond this. In Pollensa there is now a flight of young residents who, at a time when they are wanting to move out of home and become independent, can find nothing locally.
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see full article on MDB-website

[Molt de Renou]

It's a serious problem for which somebody, either the local council or hoteliers will have to find a solution.

[mike_dublin]

Over 35% of home purchases in 2015 were by foreigners » Balearics » News » Majorca Daily Bulletin

Foreign demand for home buying in the Balearics amounted to over 35% of all purchases. The annual report from the College of Registrars professional body highlights this percentage by comparison with a 13% level of foreign purchasing for Spain as a whole: it was the highest percentage in the country.

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By country market, 34% were German and just over 22% were British purchasers (who benefited from the strength of the pound). Activity among other nationalities equated to 5.8% Swedish, 5.6% Italian, 4.4% French, 3.6% Swiss and 1.9% Austrian.
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see full article on the MDB website

[mike_dublin]

Expats lose referendum vote legal bid - BBC News

Two Britons living abroad have lost a High Court battle over the right to vote in June's EU referendum.

The legal challenge was brought by World War Two veteran Harry Shindler, 94, who lives in Italy, and lawyer and Belgian resident Jacquelyn MacLennan.

Under law, UK citizens who have lived elsewhere in Europe for more than 15 years are barred from voting.

But the pair argued the in-out vote on EU membership directly affected them and called for a judicial review.

They asked the two judges to declare that Section 2 of the EU Referendum Act 2015, which established "the 15-year rule", unlawfully restricted their right to freedom of movement under EU law.

But Lord Justice Lloyd Jones, sitting with Mr Justice Blake, ruled section 2 did not restrict their rights and rejected their application for judicial review.