The tricentenary next year of the arrival of the British on Menorca is to be the focal point of a new campaign run by the Island Council, through the Fundació Destí, to attract U.K. tourists to the island.
The tourist board is presenting the "Red Menorca Británica" to the trade at the World Travel Market currently being held in London, in the hope that the history shared between the two nationalities and the legacy left behind by the invaders will appeal to the British holidaymaker and may even help to extend the tourist season.
Although the question of which sites will be included in the campaign has still not been finalised, there will be around 30 in total, all of which can be visited, such as the Camí d'en Kane, the Torre de Fornells or the Castell de Sant Felip. However, Fort Marlborough has been chosen as the figurehead for the new initiative and the site will house the information centre for the "Red Menorca Británica" which could be in operation for the tourist season in 2012. Visits to the former quarantine hospital on Lazareto in the port of Maó could also be included, if an agreement can be reached with the Ministry of Health, the current owners.
The historical network is to be promoted through leaflets and a website on the Internet, www.menorcabritanica.menorca.es which was due to start yesterday but did not appear to be functioning correctly, as users were simply transferred to another website with apparently no connection to the one sought.
Work will be carried out to adapt the selected sites for their new roles, at an initial cost of 140,000 euros.
"British Menorca"
Running parallel to the Red Menorca Británica campaign will be a variety of acts organised next year, under the title "British Menorca", to commemorate the tricentenary of the British presence in Menorca.
Among the activities envisaged by the Island Council are: the staging of a market reflecting everyday life in Menorca in the eighteenth century; films on the subject; parades; dances; sporting events (such as a kayak competition); exhibitions; and an equestrian show recreating the meeting between Nelson and Lady Hamilton.
In addition, the Island Council is working with the Town Councils of Maó and Es Castell, the Port of Maó Military Consortium, the Friends of the Illa del Rei Association and the Menorca Britannia Association to arrange other complementary activities such as visits to the Illa del Rei and the Castell de Sant Felip as well as a performance by the Orfeón Mahonés.
Organisation
The Menorca Britannia Association has been very active in organising various events for next year, with the President, Bryce Lyons, and his wife Sheila, visiting the U.K. for talks with different associations and bodies which could play a part in the tricentennial celebrations to be held on the island.
The couple are also currently using their knowledge of the island to help the Fundació Destí to promote Menorca at the World Trade Fair in London