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Since the middle of September, when the kids went back to school, I have noticed a marked surge in British visitors to Mallorca. At the end of September I stayed at a hotel near Puerto Pollensa and some 70 percent of the guests were British, many of them cyclists. And ever since I have spotted more and more in Palma, especially on weekend breaks. Not only is this what the Balearic authorities want, a lengthening of the season, but so too does the industry in general. UK travel sources at the recent ABTA convention in Mallorca spoke of strong bookings during the low season shoulder months and, so far, they have been proved right. Granted, the weather has been a little unsettled, but it has been much warmer than usual for the time of year and the Brits are used to a little rain, especially when most houses have already had the heating on for the past month or even longer. However, that costs money and with the November budget looming I know the UK travel industry is worried it may take a hit. The government is going looking for extra cash and if it continues to consider the sector a cash cow the implications for travel business and potential holidaymakers will be negative, especially with what could turn out to be a very expensive Christmas looming for middle-class Britain, the market which always feels the biggest cash squeeze.
