As we approach the end of January, traditionally the month when most British people book their holidays, quite how many have done so for this year compared to last won’t be known for a while yet.

But with the economy in both the US and Europe in recession, holiday destinations are bracing themselves for a dismal summer, as many tourists decide to have a holiday in their own country - or skip holidays altogether for 2009.

Areas that traditionally see a high percentage of their visitors come from the UK could be particularly hard hit, as the British pound has sunk to a new low level against the Euro, and isn’t doing too well against the US dollar either.

Some early suggestions are that Cyprus might lose up to 20 per cent of her British tourists this year, and there are plenty of other holiday islands in Europe which will be watching Britain’s currency closely in the coming months, hoping that it will rise and holiday bookings to those areas with the Euro pick up.

But the Spanish holiday island of Majorca isn’t taking things lying down, and 2009 could see holidays in Majorca be more popular than any other area of Spain again, despite her British visitors getting far less of the local currency than on previous visits to the island.

Majorca has an astonishing hundred years and more tourism experience, and has survived in that time two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, fascist dictatorship as well as town planners to emerge as a holiday island capable of catering for both the cheap getaway to the sun, but also the luxury holidays market in villages like Deia, and has responded well to for the increasing concern from many tourists for the environment.

                                                Majorca

Part of that change for the environment has been responding to what British and German visitors want, as well as cutting down on waste. Majorca has for example opened up quite a few miles of cycle tracks, and local businesses have responded with cycle hire shops dotted around the island.

Wonderful Cap Formentor in Majorca is just one delight awaiting holidaymakers for Majorca this year.

The challenge for Majorca this year is not how best to respond to global warming, or to offset holidaymakers co2 emissions from their flights to Majorca, but simply to get the tourists to visit at all. Majorca’s position as Europe’s number one holiday destination is under threat from Turkey, and further afield Egypt will be taking holidaymakers away too - neither Turkey or Egypt use the Euro for their currency, while Majorca does. The British pound has fallen dramatically against the Euro making holidays in Majorca more expensive for British tourists, while Egypt and Turkey with their own currencies work out better value for Brits abroad.

But Majorca has seen competitors before who have taken away market share from the holidays island, only to see her popularity return. Florida for example became very much in vogue for a while, but the weather in Majorca seemed to pull tourists back after a few years.

But while the Majorca weather can be relied on, what can beat the volatility of the currency markets to attract holidaymakers for 2009? The answer it seems is the return of the package holiday. Many in the travel industry had predicted the end of package holidays - where a holiday includes flights, hotel, breakfast and an evening meal (half board) or lunch too (half board) - due to the ability to book different components of a holiday online, but for British holidaymakers booking a package holiday with companies like Thomas Cook cuts the amount of spending money they need in Majorca dramatically - and makes a holiday in Majorca for 2009 possible after all.

Playa de Muro in Majorca, one of several beautiful beaches awaiting holidaymakers this summer.

Alcudia Majorca www.yourmajorca.net

Local authorities in some of the world’s top holiday locations are beginning to take matters of environmental protection into their own hands.

Both local government and nonprofit organizations are banding together in the fight against pollution. Efforts to sustain tourism to favorite destinations without harmful effects to the local environment, as well as culture and social interactions, are the main focus for the most recent campaigns.

Majorca Promotes Environmental Protection and Tourism

In order to maintain sustainable tourism in the Balearic Islands, Majorca is promoting a campaign that promotes environmental protection. Environment friendly tourism in heavily travelled areas is important for the overall atmosphere of tourist areas.

Island tourist locations tend to take more abuse from tourism than most other areas. The new campaign, developed by Palma’s Tourism Institute, IMTUR, is called “Palma, Responsible Tourism.” The World Tourism Organization also supports the initiative. The primary goal is to encourage tourists to be more environmentally responsible in Palma.

A few of the programme’s objectives are:

* Educate tourists and residents on water consumption.

* Promote Palma and holidays in Majorca as a prime tourism destination that places emphasis on protecting the environment and the Mediterranean.

* Encourage environmentally safe tourism once tourists arrive.

* Decrease carbon levels and air pollution from vehicles.

* Increase energy awareness and introduce energy conservation practices.

This was not a comprehensive list, only examples of what tourists can expect from the “Palma, Responsible Tourism” campaign. The programme includes incentives, activities, competitions and a cycling event available to all interested tourists. Palma Town Hall will donate 1 euro to the campaign for every tourist that takes part in activities related to the campaign .

Other Environment Friendly Vacation Locations

Palma’s campaign may be new to the Balearic Islands, but the general idea is not new to other tourist destinations around the world. Whether it is referred to as “environment friendly tourism” or “ecotourism,” the end result is the same. The general idea is to introduce tourists to recycling and other activities that will help sustain tourism in their favorite destinations. In protecting their favourite holiday areas, tourists also help to protect neighbouring rivers, streams, wildlife and communities from potential harm caused by pollution.

Similar campaigns already exist in the Caribbean. One development firm was quoted as saying sustainability is “finding the right balance between the need for development and the need for environmental protection.” Overdevelopment of a destination can lead to a drastic downfall of the quality of vacations available to tourists. Locally owned shops and fisheries on the Caribbean Islands have joined the efforts to help combat the negative effects of mass tourism.

Resorts and hotels on Malta promote environment friendly tourism by setting a high standard for their guests and employees. Water and energy conservation are very high on the list, as are reuse and recycling. Employees and guests are urged to turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used and to ensure water has been used conservatively and turned off when not in use. Recycling bins are placed in hotel rooms, and guests are encouraged to use only environment friendly, recyclable containers.

Environment Friendly Hotels and Resorts

Each passing year sees more hotels and resorts join the fight against pollution. Environmental agencies have begun offering initiatives and awards to hotels and resorts that go the extra mile to protect the environment. The very environment they seek to protect is the one that draws more tourists to their location year after year.

With the ski holidays season just around the corner, it’s worth noting that several U.S. ski resorts have earned awards from environmental protection agencies recognizing the work they put into protecting the environment and local forests. Their efforts include using environment friendly cleaning products and recyclable take-out boxes, cups and flatware, as well as encouraging reuse of linens and towels and composting kitchen scraps with wood chips for use in landscaping.