Balearics leaders in convention centre pledge

THE new Balearics government has pledged to build a new 2,000-seat convention centre in Majorca to boost low season visitor numbers.

Island authorities are currently searching for a suitable site in Palma for the auditorium, which would replace the ageing facility used by ABTA delegates this year. The present seafront centre was built more than 40 years ago.

Although the Balearics new ruling Popular Party has promised to fund the development, talks are still going on with Majorcan hoteliers about how to meet its running costs.

News of the proposed development comes as Spanish hotel giant Sol Melia puts the finishing touches to its 11-room convention centre alongside its five-star Gran Melia Victoria hotel.

Work on the 10.3 million euros project is expected to be completed by January 2004.

"Our new convention facility is desperately needed by the island and will help in the government's aim of bringing in new corporate business,” said Sol Melia executive vice-president sales and marketing Luis del Olmo.

"But Majorca needs another municipal convention centre for big events like ABTA.”

The Gran Melia Victoria convention centre features one large room for up to 500 delegates and 10 smaller rooms each capable of holding 100 delegates.