Condo-Hotels
The hotel industry on the island is set for a dramatic change when new legislation is introduced during 2008, according to experts. It is estimated that when current regulation forbidding hotels from pertaining to two different categories is changed, around thirty hotel complexes within the Balearics are set to become condo-hotels.
A condo-hotel is an establishment which sells off a certain amount of its rooms. The new owners can use the room, with all the hotel facilities, for as many weeks as they like, and have the option when they are not using it of renting it through the hotel management.
The system is seen by many within the Balearics as a way of financing urgent modernisation which needs to be carried out in many establishments. Thirty properties have so far shown an interest, but many more may sign up when the regulation is changed. The money gained from selling off five or six units can then be invested in reforms, and the hotelier is not burdened by loans and huge interest payments. It also gives the public the opportunity to get involved in the hotel business in some small way.
In the States these types of hotels are very common, especially in Florida. Unlike timeshares, where owners have the right to visit a property for a few weeks a year, or traditional condominiums, where individuals own the units and can do what they want with them, condo-hotels are a hybrid. Investors own a specific condo and pay all the relevant property taxes, insurance, and maintenance fees. Hotel management companies rent out the rooms, rotating reservations among the various units and splitting the revenue fifty-fifty with the owners.
Units often come furnished and owners cannot make changes to the decor or add personal items such as photos.
Donald Trump is a big fan of the system and now has six condo-hotels under construction in Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Dubai.
However the buying of a condo-unit was described by experts as not the best investment for everyone. Investors dependant on using the rental to cover mortgage costs are usually disappointed. The investment is imbedded in the hotel industry and is subject to the same fluctuations and pitfalls.
It is unsure whether this new trend will catch on in Europe. However it seems clear there are a few hotels in the Balearics who are willing to give it a try.

AROUND THE ISLAND

New Ideas
A marketing plan which is set to redefine the basis of the promotion of tourism undertaken within the Balearics over the next five years was revealed last week. The plan was produced after lengthy discussions between the private and public sectors. The main targets of the plan will be to make the season longer, improve the image of the islands, and to properly promote the islands via the internet. This last target was made at the bequest of the private sector after much persistence, and is something the Minister for Tourism at the Govern Balear, Francesc Buils, says his administration will take very seriously. It has also been agreed that the four islands should be promoted separately wherever possible.
The promotion will concentrate on three main sectors which include the sun and sea tourist, conference tourism (using amongst other places the new conference centre in Santa Eulalia), and cultural tourism.
The various meetings showed some surprising differences in the general approach of the two different sectors. The private sector was far more dynamic in its approach and as well as embracing new technology, they were also keen to reach new markets, the Japanese and Chinese being a good example. They underlined the importance of the already existing markets, especially the British, German and Spanish, but said the marketing of the islands had to reach new destinations.
It has also been decided to market this island abroad under the name Ibiza. This is a change of tack from the previous administration who decided to use the Catalan name Eivissa for the islands promotion, to try and get away from the tainted reputation the name Ibiza was perceived to have abroad. However, after much discussion it seems they are reverting to the tried and trusted, and Ibiza will be once again used.

Golfing Possibilities
The minister in charge of land reforms at the Consell Insular, Miquel Ramon, has warned that the new legislation on golf courses for the island may not be ready in time to stop permission being granted to the Matutes Group, for their planned course in Playa den Bossa. The project is currently being studied by the Environmental Commission at the Govern Balear. If they give the green light before the new legislation is voted in, it would be difficult for the Consell to deny permission, as the present legislation states the building of a golf course on the island would prove positive over the long term and would, amongst other things, help to lengthen the season.
The new legislation, which is set to be voted in sometime next year, will make it much harder for a course to be given the go-ahead, and categorically prohibits the building of a hotel as part of the installations. However, the legislation is at least three months from being voted in and gives the Matutes-backed course an outside chance of being passed.
However, Ramon said he remained confident. Firstly he revealed the project would take a significant time to be given the go-ahead. This meant that by the time the plans were returned to the Consell, the new legislation would be in place. He also claimed he remained confident permission would be denied by the Environmental Commission. He said most of the course would be within the ses Salinas Natural Park, and he could not see the Commission giving the go-ahead to a project that would have such a negative effect on a protected area.

Gas Hoax
The Consumer Complaints office in Ibiza revealed last week they had received a number of complaints about fake gas inspectors during December, and warned people to be on their guard. The hoax is nothing new and involves the conman gaining entry to the house by telling the owner he is there to check the gas installation. Once inside, and having gained the trust of the owner, he then proceeds to inform the homeowner that various things need to be changed and charges an inflated price for the work. People only became aware of the scam when the official inspector called round to the same property several days later. The conmen are working for completely legal companies, but are not authorised to check the gas installation. They have been known to charge up to 100 for simply changing half a metre of the orange gas tubing.
The head of the Consumer organisation on the island, Carlos Salinas, underlined the difficulty of prosecuting the hoaxers, as it was simply their word against the proprietors and most cases never reached court due to this lack of evidence.

Consell Inspections
Having announced the previous week an increase in inspections during 2008, the Consell Insular last week revealed just some of the cases which they had dealt with during the previous two years.
The Consell made it known several weeks ago that they would be doubling their inspections on tourist establishments during 2008. The majority would be of hotels, apartment complexes and restaurants. The moves have been made to try and encourage ageing establishments to modernise their facilities. The Consell are also trying to cut down on the threat of illegal businesses, especially in the accommodation sector, which have been heavily criticised recently by the Hotel Federation.
Between 2006 and 2007 the Consell resolved a total of 32 cases. Six of these convictions were regarded as extremely serious, with the Consell ordering four of the establishments to close. The four which have been ordered to cease trading are the restaurants, Pizza Luego and Blue Marlin, and the hotels, Cala Vadella Resort and Residencial Alla Dins. All four were said to have not complied with article 73.1A of the legislation 2/1999. Simply put, each was functioning without an appropriate operating licence. Two other hotels (Can Pere and Hostal Catalina) were convicted of serious offences, and although they were able to remain open, were both fined between 30,050 and 60,000.
Twelve establishments were fined for serious offences, which included not having the correct licences for certain activities offered, and for not complying with the new legislation concerning the modernisation of the establishment. Some of those establishments which fell into this category included Burger King, Apartments Cala Azul, H.March, Cafeteria Rodeo Fun Park, Bistro Talamanca and the restaurant, Jackie Brown. Fines varied between 3,000 and 18,000.
The rest of the establishments were charged with minor offences which included not possessing an official complaint book for clients, visiting book (libro de visitas) or failing to display the necessary documentation to the public.

Marriage Problems
Ninety-three per cent of couples opted directly for a quickie divorce as opposed to a legal separation, during 2007. This signifies a dramatic change during the last three years since the divorce law in Spain was changed and made both simpler and cheaper. Before, people were forced to seek a legal separation first before they could ask for a divorce. In 2005 the ratio was 60-40, with 60 per cent of the 337 legal break-ups deciding to seek a divorce straight away. However, in 2007 this percentage has increased to 93%, with just 7 per cent of people choosing a legal separation before deciding on whether to continue with divorce proceedings.

Stuttered Growth
The Balearic economy grew the least of all the autonomous regions in Spain between 2000 and 2006. The negative data was revealed after an exhaustive study by the Institute of National Statistics. Whilst the average economic increase within the country was 3.36 per cent, the Balearics grew by just 2.29 per cent annually during the seven year period.
Analysing just 2006, the Islands also fell short of the rest of the country with an annual growth of 3.4 per cent, way short of the national average of 3.9 per cent and only in front of the Canaries who managed an increase of just 3.3 per cent. The biggest growth was seen in Murcia, Galicia and Cantabria, which all grew by 4.1 per cent.

IBIZA TOWN

Social Housing
The councillor in charge of the two new social housing projects in Ibiza Town, Marc Costa, revealed 82 architects had sent in projects for the two buildings. The Town Hall announced their intention to build 57 flats earlier this year, and welcomed architects to send in their plans. The apartments will be split into two buildings located in Can Canto and ses Feixes, and will consist of one, two and three bedrooms.
Costa explained a substantial part of the projects had come from architects based on the island, but he had also received some from the mainland. It is hoped the winner will be announced by January, so that final modifications to the plans can be made, in order that building work can start during 2008.

Afternoon Opening
The councillor for tourism at the Town Hall of Ibiza, Vicente Ferrer, announced on Wednesday that his administration were looking at the possibility of restricting the opening hours of music bars and pubs. The clampdown on the so called after-hours bars has so far been universal from all of the municipalities. San Antonio and San Jose both recently announced new legislation which will prevent establishments from opening before 12 noon.
However, Ibiza Town is set to go a stage further and is hoping to soon unveil new regulations which will prohibit music bars from opening before late afternoon. Ferrer explained that he favoured these new regulations, and considered them appropriate for the capital. He claimed his administration had always tried to promote family and cultural tourism, and that having a music bar open at 10a.m. was simply not conducive to the type of tourism the municipality was aiming for.
His statements were followed several days later by promises to clean up binge drinking (botellon), and prostitution on the streets of the capital. The announcement was made by the councillor in charge of the police force, Ricardo Albin. He said fines of between 500 and 3,000 would be introduced to try and curb such antisocial behaviour which would also include graffiti vandals.

SAN ANTONIO

San An Stink
A block in the main sewage pipe in San Antonio last week led to contaminated sewage water being deposited on the Arenal beach in the bay. The problem began in the car park opposite the beach next door to the disused Idea disco, close to Es Paradis in Avenida Doctor Fleming. The pipe began to overflow due to a blockage causing a strong smell in the area. However, no one reported it for several days when finally the sewage reached the Arenal beach and could clearly be seen on the sand. The Town Hall immediately sent technicians to the area and they soon discovered the cause was a blockage in the main pipe. It was immediately cleared and the cleanup operation began.

SAN JOSE

DC-10 Fears
The mayor of San Jose, Josep Mari Ribas, confirmed on Thursday his administration still had two cases pending against the club DC-10. Both concerned the overcrowding of the bar that can only officially allow 60 people inside. He said the situation could not be allowed to continue as it had been, and the bar would have to try and increase the maximum occupancy allowed, an increase he saw as extremely difficult due to the bars location. It is inside the ses Salinas Natural Park, and Ribas confirmed it would be legally impossible to increase the capacity.
The bar will, from this year, have to obey new opening hours brought in by the Town Hall which will ensure it cannot open until 12p.m.
When asked if the current cases could result in the closure of the bar, Ribas confirmed it was not out of the question. However, even if the bar was to escape this threatened closure, its long term future is very much in doubt.

SANTA EULALIA

More Convictions
Positive breath-tests have quadrupled in Santa Eulalia, according to the latest figures released by municipality police. In 2007, ninety-nine drivers were arrested for being over the legal alcohol limit, all of whom have had, or are in the process of having, their licences revoked for a minimum twelve month period. In 2006 there were just twenty-eight incidents of this kind reported. The increase has been a result of more controls being carried out by police, checks which are set to continue throughout 2008.

Boat Grounds
A catamaran needed rescuing on Sunday after heavy winds caused the boat to slip its anchor on the outskirts of the port of Santa Eulalia. The 10-metre vessel was moored at the time, and did not have any crew aboard. It eventually beached on rocks close to the boardwalk, and was eventually towed back out to sea by Port Authorities. The Ali Kat was said to be only slighted damaged close to the base of the hull, and was being repaired.

FORMENTERA

Citizens Arrest
Various pedestrians helped last week in the capture of a thief who had robbed a shoe shop in Formentera. The incident occurred on Christmas Eve just before 1p.m. A 32 year old Spanish citizen, who had been resident on the island for the past three months, entered the shop and threatened the cashier with a kitchen knife. She handed over the contents of her till which amounted to 170. However, after the man left the shop, she ran out into the street and shouted for help. Several passers-by answered her pleas, and chased the man for several minutes. They eventually cornered him and waited for the police to arrive, who immediately arrested the man. Witnesses reported that the thief and the pedestrians all remained calm the entire time, and there was no confrontation. The public prosecutor is asking for a jail term of one year for the attack.

Port Reforms
The project to build a dry dock in the port of la Savina in Formentera, unveiled on Friday, has been met with disapproval from the president of the Consell on the island, Jaume Ferrer. The newly constructed dock proposed by the Port Authorities in their project will provide an area of over 8,000 square metres, which is far too big, according to the president. However Ferrer said he was remaining calm for the moment and reiterated the promise of the president of the Port Authority, Francesc Triay, on his visit to the island back in July, to do whatever the Consell thought best.
Ferrer said he did not want to comment further until he had seen the project himself, and spoken to the president. However, he claimed a dock of 8,000 sq.metres was simply far too big, and would have too much of an environmental effect on the island and an area that is protected by several different regulations.
The project, if given the go ahead, would take around nine months to complete and cost around 3.4million.

CRIME & INCIDENTS

Armed Robbery

Police were said to be continuing their investigation of a robbery in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Cepsa petrol station at the entrance to the port of Ibiza. At around 2.30 am a man entered the filling station and pulled out a gun. He threatened the two members of staff on duty and then fired a warning shot in between the two petrified shop assistants. The bullet embedded itself in the wall behind them. One of the assistants then opened the cash register and handed all the money over to the man. He made his escape in a vehicle which had been left close-by.
The exact details of the assailant and his vehicle are still being kept secret by police as they continiue their search. However it was revealed the gun used in the attack was a Calibre .22. The bullet recovered had been sent away for tests. CCTV footage from the forecourt was also being studied. Witness´ said the man had appeared to be in a fairly drunken state, but this information was not confirmed by police. It is not known how much he eventually got away with.

Brit Attacked
The Guardia Civil arrested a 51 year old Moroccan man at his home on Friday - the prime suspect in a suspected sexual assault against a 39 year old British woman. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning after the woman had enjoyed a night out with friends. Further details of the victims account have so far been kept under wraps.
However, according to the statement from the arrested man, he was driving home on the Santa Eulalia-Ibiza road when he saw the woman, whom he did not know, hitch-hiking on the side of the road. He stopped and offered her a lift, before suggesting they both went back to his house for a few drinks. According to his account, the woman accepted. It was when they were back at his property, and after a few drinks, that he tried to make sexual advances towards the woman. She rejected these advances, and the man hit her several times around the face. However, he claims he did not force the woman to have sex, but merely touched her in certain areas. The woman bit the man and then made her escape.
Immediately after the attack the woman ran out onto the street and was helped by a passing motorist who accompanied her to the local police station. The woman was badly bruised, bleeding and had substantial injuries to her neck and facial area.
Police could not at first get any details of what exactly had occurred due to the fearful state of the victim. However, after receiving a detailed account of the incident and the accused, they arrested the man.
He appeared in court on Saturday but was released after the woman failed to show up and give evidence. Police said they had been to the address she had given them when she first made her statement, but were unable to locate her there. The judge was therefore forced to release the man, although he could be re-arrested at a later date when the woman is found and has eventually given evidence.

Another Accident
Three children had a lucky escape on Wednesday as a car overturned, landing on the spot where they had been playing just minutes beforehand. The incident occurred just before 2p.m. at an accident hotspot in Playa den Bossa which has seen seven similar accidents over recent years. Three children were playing outside the popular bar, La Griferia, when their father came out and told them to head down to the beach if they wanted to continue playing. Moments later an Audi A3 came around the corner and the driver, due to excessive speed, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into a parked vehicle. The car then overturned landing just yards away from the bar, and in exactly the spot where the children had been playing.
Staff from the bar quickly came to the aid of the four passengers, helping them from the wreckage as the vehicle burst into flames. They then helped put out the fire with several extinguishers from the restaurant/bar. The driver escaped without injury and passed the breath-test carried out by police on their arrival. Two of the passengers were only slightly injured and were cleared to leave hospital later that afternoon. However, the fourth passenger suffered severe head injuries and remains in intensive care, although his life is not in any danger.
The owner of the bar, Manuel de la Espranza, said this was the seventh accident since he opened the bar three years ago. He claimed it was a miracle no one had so far been killed. The four trees that had previously lined the pavement have all been ripped out due to the catalogue of accidents. He added he was tired of asking the Town Hall to put up a barrier on the corner which now has the unenviable tag of being the biggest accident blackspot on the island.

Thanks Dad!
A 25 year old Spanish man had a lucky escape after crashing his Porsche at 200 kmph close to San Miguel on Christmas Eve. The car had been given to the man as a Christmas present just hours before, by his father. There were no other cars involved as the vehicle flipped over several times. The man was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed he had broken his pelvis. The car was a total write-off.

By modern day standards Ibiza is an extremely safe place to holiday. This is a weeks worth of news and so its effect is magnified. Please do not fret while you are here you are quite safe!!

If you have any stories for our incidents section then call or fax 971-348-271 or e-mail on: editor@theibizasun.com

NEWS FROM THE MAINLAND

Xmas Speech
The Queen was not the only Royal to grace the internet site You Tube over the Christmas period, as King Juan Carlos traditional Christmas Eve speech was watched by millions via the site. The King started by thanking the nation for their support in what has been his own very annus horribilis.
Speaking from Zarzuela Palace the monarch thanked the public for their continued messages of personal and institutional support received in a year full of trying events. Among them the burning in Catalonia of photos of the monarch, and the episode in the Ibero-American Summit in Chile when he told the Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to shut up.
However the majority of his speech concentrated on calls for a renewed effort from the Spanish political parties to reach a consensus on the important matters of State, including the fight against terrorism, and to ensure that the institutions work more efficiently to conform to the principles of the Constitution.
The terrorist group, ETA, was never too far from the headlines all year, as they continued their terror campaign against the Spanish nation. He called for citizens to be brave, and to unite in the fight against this terrible evil.
He also called for all political parties to make a greater effort to support the needy, the young, the disabled and particularly the old. He mentioned the inequalities of society, and highlighted the fight against poverty and unemployment. He spoke of the devastating effects of drugs and domestic violence, and the enormous pain which resulted from the deaths and injuries caused in traffic accidents.
He called for politicians to defend Spains interests around the world, and said the countrys future safety depended on many of these aspects. He followed this by making special mention to the immigrants who now live in Spain and underlined how much they are valued and welcomed here. He ended his speech, as always, with a special greeting to those Spaniards who were spending Christmas away from home, including those serving in the armed forces.

Double Kidnapping
Two doctors working for the aid agency, Medecins Sans Frontieres, (Medics without Borders) were kidnapped on Wednesday in Somalia. The pair, a Spanish doctor and an Argentinian nurse, were seized near the northern port of Bossasso, in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland. The kidnappers were said to be "holed up in a mountainous area". Puntland has generally been more stable than southern Somalia since the country last had an effective national government in 1991.
On Friday it was revealed the two aid workers were believed to be safe, and police assured worried Spanish officials they were on the trail of the gunmen who abducted them, and that their days were numbered.
A French journalist was freed on Monday more than a week after being captured in the same region. The abductors had asked for a ransom of $70,000 to release journalist, Gwen Le Gouil.
He was in Bossasso shooting a documentary on the mass smuggling of refugees from Somalia and other war-torn African countries when he was captured on 16 December. Police have denied that any ransom had been paid.

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By modern day standards Ibiza is an extremely safe place to holiday. This is a weeks worth of news and so its effect is magnified. Please do not fret while you are here - you are quite safe!!

If you have any stories for our incidents section then call or fax 971-348-271 or e-mail on: editor@theibizasun.com