1. Minkner & Partner News
MinknerTV – 3000 films with everything worth knowing about Mallorca
MinknerTV (www.minkner.com) has developed into a popular and private television channel. The editors have put together a 24h daily programme with reports concerning everything worth knowing about Mallorca, (Events, fiestas, handicrafts, vintage wines, golf, sailing, politics, the economy and real estate). The film library is updated daily and from this direct access is available to the individual exposés in internet. If, for example, the viewer is interested in a villa in Santa Ponsa then he is able to access individual films from the library referring to Santa Ponsa (Golf Santa Ponsa, Club Nautico Santa Ponsa, Port Adriano etc.). MinknerTV is the ideal way for interested buyers to learn more about the region they are interested in: www.minkner.com
2. Mallorca – Construction, Economy laws and taxes
(1) Construction
Palma: Congress Palace – no light at the end of the tunnel
As the main part of the monies owing to Acciona was paid at the start of the year, it was expected that work would begin once again on the Congress Palace. However, Acciona announced that is was unwilling to continue with the construction without being guaranteed the outstanding 30 million Euros necessary to complete it. Now 6 months later and still no sign of any work on the site. In addition, the downtime costs money: Technical equipment, cranes, security. Apparently the positive statements made by the government spokesman were incorrect.
Palma: Acoustic barriers to be erected on the Via Cintura
Acoustic barriers are to be installed on a 1.5 km stretch of the Via Cintura in order to alleviate noise for the nearby residential areas, in particular the areas of Rafal Vell, Son Fortesa, Son Oliva and Can Capes. Costs for the work are estimated at € 1,9 million. The Via Cintura is one of Spain’s busiest motorways with approximately 150,000 vehicles daily.
Manacor/ Arta: The hiking and cycling path ‘Via Verde’ is taking shape.
The originally planned 30 km railway line that was to run between Manacor and Arta is to be converted into a hiking and cycling path since the railway project was abandoned for economic reasons. The area will now be used for hikers and cyclists as well as for recreational purposes and is presently being planted and grass is being laid. The route will be known as ‘Via Verde’ (green route). The route is expected to open to the public in September and costs for the work are estimated at € 4 million.
Manacor: Rafael Nadal Sports Centre is at the planning stage
The Balearic Government, with financial support from the tennis star Rafael Nadal, are planning the construction of a sports centre in Manacor close to the history museum. The headquarters of the Rafael Nadal foundation which cares for disadvantaged children will also be based there. It is hoped that plans will be drawn up by the end of 2014 and work should start in 2015. The sports centre will include tennis courts, an indoor pool and a fitness studio. In addition there will also be a boarding school for talented individuals between the ages of 8 and 17 who will be encouraged and developed in their given sport.
2) Economy
Calvia town hall and the hotel industry are to in invest in renovation, new builds and infrastructure
Following the implementation of the new tourism law of 2012, Calvia town hall and the hoteliers have already invested € 60 million in the renovation and building of hotels, in addition to improving the infrastructure and it is thought that 48 hotels in the region will be able to increase the number of stars allocated to them. Hoteliers in Magaluf are working particularly hard to improve the quality of tourism. Viva hotels are now starting a new project with the construction of four new hotels on what was formerly unused land and which will provide a total of 2,000 beds. The Melia group are also investing heavily in the area and the hotel Jamaica, which has been closed for 10 years, will be demolished next month and a new hotel erected on the same site.
Mallorca’s tourist industry expects price increases in the hospitality industry
Mallorca’s hoteliers and travel agents are currently in negotiations and playing hardball. Hoteliers have, during the winter months, invested a great deal of money in their properties and now are waiting to reap the benefits of their efforts with expected price increases of between 2 % and 5 % depending on the amount invested. The tourist industry is experiencing another record breaking year in 2014. Although figures for May and June were a little lower than expected (due mainly to a lack of returning British and Russian holidaymakers) overall it has been an excellent year.
Pierre & Vacances to open new holiday resorts
The French tourist group Pierre and Vacances which was established in 1967 and are the owners of 8 top products amongst which are the holiday villages Center Parcs. The group have now opened two new holiday resorts on Mallorca, one of which is the Portomar in Playa Marcal which boasts 80 apartments and the other the Vista Alegre in Cala Anguila with 5 one storey buildings housing a total of 42 apartments.
Cruise ship tourism has once again shown a strong increase
As expected the number of cruise ships visiting the port of Palma in comparison to 2013 – which was already a record year – has greatly increased in the first four months of 2014. According to the port authority records the number of cruise ship passengers visiting in the period January to April was 283,049. That is a 34 % (!) increase. The number of cruise ships docking in Palma over this period rose by 23 %. Overall in Spain there have been 15.3 % more cruise ships docking in Spain with 2,3 million guests on board.
Mallorcan shoe manufacturer Camper to expand and develop new brands
The Mallorcan shoe manufacturer Camper is a family (Fluxa) concern which was established in1877 and since 1975 has been operating under the name of Camper in Inca. Millions of pairs of shoes, the ‘Pelotas’ design, have been sold worldwide. These particular shoes are a retro design inspired by old sport shoes. Camper have now developed a new market under the label ‘Cartujano’ and plan to produce top quality shoes and accessories which will be sold in their own shops in Madrid, London, Paris and Berlin.
Lush crop of salt in ´Flor de Sal`
‘Gusto Mundial Balearics’ the Flor de Sal salt mines situated close to Es Trenc beach are expecting record earnings this year. The reason for this is that spring was a very warm season with little rain which allowed for a harvest in April, which as a rule only begins in June. Wind and sun form flower like crystals hourly, these are then harvested with nets and left to dry in the sun. Once the salt is free of impurities it is then placed into containers manually. An annual harvest is normally around 55 tonnes and is marketed internationally.
(3) The law, taxes and finance
Major Spanish tax reform takes shape
In March 2014 an expert committee set up by the Spanish government presented a memorandum for a major tax reform. The 400 page proposal package called for some 125 suggestions for change and 270 deemed necessary tax measures. On June 23, 2014 the present Spanish government introduced a number of bills, with the intention of amending the Spanish tax system later this year. The objectives of the legislative changes and measures are the promotion of economic growth, fiscal consolidation, the fight against unemployment and fairer taxation for families and businesses.
Business enterprises should be encouraged due to the change in corporation tax which will be reduced from 30 % to 28 % in 2015 and in 2016 to 25 %. The withholding rate paid by the self employed will be reduced from 21 % to 19 % and could be as low as 15 % next year. It is thought that the allowances on gift and inheritance tax will be increased. Wealth tax is to be abolished altogether. The bill is currently under discussion in several committees. Exact details of when changes will be implemented have not yet been given.
EU regulated mobile operators
Due to pressure from the EU mobile operators must reduce their tariffs, some of them drastically so. Those who will feel the benefit are, among others, owners of mobile phones that are not Spanish. As of 1st July, calls from a non Spanish mobile from Mallorca to a number abroad should cost no more than 19 cents + VAT. SMS messages will also be reduced by approx. 25 %. Cost of downloading data and surfing the net will also be reduced from 52,5 cents to 23,8 cents. In addition it was announced that as of the end of 2015 it is expected that roaming charges should be completely abolished.
3. Minkner Art Gallery & Culture
a) Olivier Brauns ´The whole is more than the sum of its parts`– experimental material collage
After leaving high school Olivier Braun’s studied carpentry and later architecture. Both professions are continuing to shape his work: The craftsmanship working with a variety of materials and the imaginative assembly of different parts to constitute a material collage of assemblage. The artist identifies his work as `experimental material collages`. They demonstrate is desire to work with a variety of materials which he can edit and mix accordingly thereby constantly creating new colours and shapes and thus seldom knowing e.g. what will result with a mix of copper with an acid of and pigments. In short: ´The whole is more than the sum of its parts´ Aristoteles.
Minkner Art Gallery- Avenida Rey Jaime I, 109 – ES 07180 Santa Ponsa, Tel. +34 971 695 255. Exhibition dates: 17.04.2014 – 28.08.2014- Opening hours:Mon – Fri. 09.30h-18.30h, Sa. 09.30h-14.00h
Johannes, Dagmar Adamski, Karin Darby – let the flowers speak
The Minkner Art Gallery in Llucmajor also presents a collective exhibition of German artists, who have in their own way dedicated them to still life and collectively have created a lush bouquet in our estate agents. Johannesthe pop-artist who paints flowers in bold colours, sensitive Dagmar Adamski and meticulousKarin Darby. Each isdedicated to still life in a convincing manner. ‘Let flowers speak’ an invitation to Minkner’s Art Gallery in Pto. Andratx.
Minkner & Partner – C./ des Saluet, 1 (Deutsche Bank) – ES 07157 Pto. Andratx, Tel. +34 971 671 250
Exhibition dates: 01.07.2014 – 31.12.2014 - Opening hours:Mo.- Fr. 09.30h - 18.30h, Sa. 09.30h - 14.00h
Diego Arango Arango, Hanne Holze – the naive send their regards
Originally naïve art was a group of untrained people who presented their dreams of an ideal world. Most of their works represented rural life, but from this a modern art movement has developed which is identified by a childish representation. The Minkner & Partner art gallery has put together an exhibition of two international artists. Diego Arango Arangowas born in Columbia but has lived on Mallorca since 1988. He paints in a naïve style that brings together symbols and dreamlike images. On the current art scene he is classed as the ‘sophisticated naïve artist’. Hanne Holzehas lived on Mallorca since 1998. She observes people and parodies them in her paintings- always positive, benevolent, loving and carefree characters that are perfectly rotund with sometimes strange anatomies.
Minkner & Partner– Ronda Migjorn, 145 B - ES 07620 Llucmajor, Tel. +34 971 66 29 29
Exhibition Dates: 01.07.2014 – 31.12.2014 - Opening hours: Mo.- Fr. 09.30h-18.30h, Sa. 09.30h-14.00h
4. EVENTS & TIPS
11th July 2014, Geoff Evans & Band, Sa Taronja, Andratx
Geoff Evans & Band will be performing on July 11th, 2014 in the Sa TaronjaCultural Finca. The rock and blues singer lives and works in Mallorca. He will be accompanied by: Jan Kobrzinowski - Bass, Ivo Jalic - Guitar, Thilo Schölpen - Piano, Patrick Shanahan - trumpet and Daniel Erismann - trumpet. Special Guest: Roland Prakken - acoustic guitar.11.07.2014, 21.30 h, Geoff Evans & Band at the Sa Taronja Cultural Finca, Andratx. Admission: 12 €, reservations +34 971 235 268.
As of July 12, 2014 - Film events in the Parc de la Mar
Once again this year there will be outdoor events in the Parc de la Mar in front of the cathedral. Almost every day a film will be shown – Action moves, love stories and animated full length feature films. Entrance is free and films will be shown in Spanish, Catalan or, in the original version. The calendar of films to be shown will be advertised in daily and weekly newspapers.
July 12, 2014, ARTIS PIANO QUARTET at the Cultural Son Baulo, Lloret de Vistalegre
In co-operation with the German Consulate, the Son Baulo cultural centre will hold a concert evening on 7th July with the Artis Piano Quartet. Four top international musicians (Hiroko Atsumi - piano, Tokyo, Stefan Bornscheuer - violin, Stuttgart, Paul Pesthy - Viola - Philadelphia and Marin Smesnoi - cello, Moldovia, will perform international music from classical to modern:12.07.2014, Artis Piano Quartet. Son Baulo Cultural Centre, Lloret de Vistalegre, 16.30 h Coffee & cake € 5, 18.00 pm Concert 18 €, followed by 4-course menu € 26, registrations +34 971 524 206, www.son-baulo.com
July 20, 2014, 2nd Great Concert of Image Ensembles Palma in the Son Baulo Cultral Centre, Lloret de Vistalegre
The Image ensemble is a group of outstanding soloists who perform with the Balearic Symphony Orchestra and in the faculty of the Conservatory in Palma. The group’s first concert took place on 15.06.2014 and was highly acknowledged. This time the programme includes pieces from B. Crussel and L. v. Beethoven. 20.07.2014, 2nd Great Concert of Image Ensembles Palma at the Cultural Son Baulo in Lloret de Vistalegre, 17.30 h Coffee & cake € 5, 19.00 pm Concert 18 €, followed by 4-course menu € 26, registrations +34 971 524 206, www.son-baulo.com