Interesting reading and some truth in all of this however what of course no-one mentions is .
one - private
rentals are supposed to be illegal and the tourist board are trying to crack down on it - there will be more pressure from struggling tour operators and hoteliers after this year to cut down on this practice where the correct licences are not in place.
two - the private renter often does not add to the spanish economy and pay spanish taxes. If you rent out through an official source and have a tourist licence you pay a high tax on your earnings, pay social security and insurance for your cleaners and maintenence men, pay higher rate for your rubbish collection and town hall taxes - etc. etc.
Three - I believe that Sun club had/has a member of staff who used to work with TCU and much of the info of the properties has come from there in an attempt to gain clients. They do not offer the services that TCU have offered over the last 74years and certainly should not be confused with TCU. They have only sent a handful of clients to PP this year as far as I am aware and do not have free sale but have to request availablity from the properties.
Four - TCU also offered Supplier Failure insurance however these insurances clearly cover third party failure so maybe not covered if the actual company that sells it fails!!! The insurance company, as always, will have the final word on this I guess.
Five - ALL tour operators - large and small - have been reducing their contract prices this year- and last- in Mallorca in a fight for survival. It is not restricted to
Thomas Cook by any means - it is an attempt to share the pain with the supplier.
Very sad news for Puerto Pollensa -loosing Globespan and Travel club in the same year - both companies providing well respected clients bringing good revenue and life to the resort.