Majorca Still A Magnet For UK Holidaymakers

In recent years there has been a shift among the British public who take holidays abroad to move away from their traditional favourite holiday destinations like Spain and Spanish islands like Majorca to new areas like Turkey, Egypt and Morocco.

The reason for the move away from Spain and other traditionally favoured British areas of Europe isn't because those areas are not good holiday areas anymore - but simply because of economics.

The British currency - sterling - has declined in value against the currency most countries favoured by the British for their holidays, including Spain - the Euro. It has pushed up the cost of a family holiday quite a bit, to the extent where destinations not using the Euro have become popular. Turkey, Egypt and Morocco are the three top ones.

But there are signs from travel agent polls and data showing that the British are returning to their old haunts in increasing numbers, and that Spain is coming back into favour.

However, although the percentage of the overall market might be swinging back in favour of traditional holiday areas, huge problems remain for their travel industries as the number of people taking holidays this year has dropped dramatically because of the recession.

Media reports indicate different drops for different locations, for example Cyprus is thought to be experiencing a ten per cent drop in tourist numbers, while the number of people taking holidays in Majorca could be similar.

The good news for those who do visit Cyprus and Majorca - also known as Mallorca - is that even in the peak summer months the islands won't be crowded, it will be easy to get seats at restaurants, and room for the whole family to stretch out and enjoy themselves on the beach - it could be a great year to visit, but what else will they find in Majorca, apart from less tourists?

As well as the Mediterranean, more holidaymakers are visiting the interior of the island, tourists will see the island's true history and be able to sample farm life. Many older farm homes are transformed into bed and breakfast type rooms where families and couples can stay while on holiday.

Agro tourism is a growing concept. Holiday-makers enjoy the countryside and self catering accommodations like villas, cottages, apartments and fincas. Located in charming villages, these living quarters offer character in a picturesque environment that the heavily occupied outskirts of the island can't.

As well as traditional Majorca culture, the wonderful weather throughout the year is conducive to a variety of sports activities. Take your pick of golf, horseback riding, tennis and windsurfing.

If shopping is your bag, you will find many souvenir shops in the Mallorca resort areas. Stores in these areas are open all day. If you prefer to shop in other parts of the island, the shops are generally open from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, as well as on Saturday mornings. You can use credit cards, but the preferred currency is the Euro.

Majorca has fine leather goods, pearl jewelry, Lladro porcelain, and even siurells for the children. Siurells are clay whistles that have been made in Majorca for centuries, dating back to Arab times. There is definitely something for everyone!

Majorca, a sister island to Menorca also known by its Spanish name Mallorca, offers a tapestry of locales for those wishing to travel or retire there - it's a lure to those seeking retirement where sun is a constant companion. This island comprises impressive mountains in the interior and verdant countryside. It is home to the capital city, Palma - which is of a slower pace - and deemed a 'walking city.'

Majorca has a very colourful history dating back to the Paleolithic period. It has been under Roman, Byzantine and Spanish rule.

Museums in various villages on the island showcase a wide variety of artefacts from each period of the island's history. The official spoken languages on Majorca are Catalan and Spanish, but many Majorcans are becoming fluent in English and German as well.

From the new tourist figures it seems that while some people have been away for a couple of years, Majorca is still a magnet for holidaymakers.

Because of the recession some villa holiday companies have cut the price of a traditional villa holiday in Majorca and although traditionally expensive, some villa holidays now match the cost of having a holiday with some of the Majorca hotels