After the last few years, small business owners need a break. I sure did. So after years of urging, I flew to Mallorca, Spain, to personally work with my fiction-writing editor. Majorca is one of Europe’s most popular vacation destinations, although perhaps less well-known to American travelers. That could soon change because, as pretty much every Mallorcan has pointed out to me, there will be a non-stop flight from New York City to Majorca’s capital, Palma de Mallorca, from June.
I am fortunate to have one of the best fiction writers in the country as my editor and coach: Alice LaPlante, who now lives full time in Mallorca. In addition to being a former writing teacher at Stanford, LaPlante is also the New York Times bestselling author. Her first novel, a gripping murder mystery, “Turn of Mind,” was about to become a major movie when COVID halted production.
After working with Alice via Zoom – I adore my first novel – I finally accepted her invitation to collaborate face-to-face.
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Now when I travel – especially internationally – I make a special effort to patronize local, small businesses. Eating, shopping, staying, playing and touring with and with small local entrepreneurs is fun and interesting. You meet the nicest people – often the entrepreneurs themselves – and experience unforgettable experiences.
This trip was no exception and I met three incredible female small business owners here on this magical island.
In the heart of the town square of Pollenca, a charming town in the north of Mallorca, I discovered “Dodo”, a relatively new cafe/shop dedicated to supporting and promoting “zero waste” products, in addition to providing delicious, fresh food and coffee.
Dana Bena and Claire Trelford, the owners of Dodo, got the inspiration for “Dodo” during COVID and launched in February this year.
“During the lockdown, we became very aware of the amount of plastic and unnecessary waste there was,” Trelford recalls. “Dana and I both thought it was totally unnecessary and as an island we couldn’t keep it up.”
“Originally, we just wanted to do ‘upcycling,’ but then it turned into something bigger,” Trelford said. Dodo sells recycled, repurposed items and allows customers to bring their own containers (or pick up a jar donated by other customers) for food and goods they purchase. “The cafe/restaurant has come because it helps us pay the rent.”
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“During the lockdown, we had time to slow down,” she added. “We are both interested in upcycling. We both love finding an old chair and refurbishing it and using it again. It gives us great pleasure to know that something has a different life.”
With their gentle approach, Bena and Trelford help support the sustainability movement – an issue taught in schools in Spain.
While both Bena and Trelford are transplants to Mallorca, another female entrepreneur I’ve met is a native “Mallorquin” – Cata Simo. Simo owns and operates the Boat Trip Mallorca company, which offers excursions around the island of Mallorca in her classic sailboat El Gordito.”
Thanks to Simo I spent a wonderful day on the water, sailing from Palma de Mallorca. It was a perfect break from my time in front of the computer screen. Simo navigated us to one of Mallorca’s many beautiful “calas” – a sheltered beach cove – where we swam in turquoise blue waters, paddle boarding and then ate freshly prepared “tapas” – or appetizers.
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Simo has owned the boat for four years and does full and half day trips around the island. Like so many small business owners, she was hit hard during COVID.
“For two years there were no tourists or income, but I had to pay very high construction costs,” Simo recalls.
Now tourism has returned to Mallorca and as usual Mallorca attracts some world famous stars. Simo was lucky enough to have vocalist Shawn Mendes film the video for “Summer of Love” aboard El Gordito.
If you love small businesses like me, then I urge you to spend as much of your tourist dollars as possible on small independent businesses, especially now that small business owners around the world like Simo have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even if you may not have time to travel, it will help recharge your batteries so you can return to your business with renewed enthusiasm. And that can help small businesses around the world survive and thrive.
What is Support Service tourism?
Tourism support services refer to tourism infrastructure such as resorts, lodging industry, transportation industry, tourist sites, tourism promoters, and travel agencies that provide and provide essential services to visitors (Smith, 2000).
What are tourism service providers? Tourist service provider: any natural or legal person (whether privately or publicly owned) who sells, offers to sell, supplies or undertakes to provide a tourist service, individually or in combination in a package holiday, individually or combined in a package tour. Read also : Big Lake Orchestra brings classical music to Washburn.
What are examples of services in tourism?
Tourism and travel related services include services provided by hotels and restaurants (including catering), travel agencies and tour operators, tourist guide services and other related services.
What is a service tourism?
Tourism Services means any service provided to tourists, such as a service relating to accommodation, bus travel, taxis, tour guidance, vending machines, water sports, and food and drink provided wholly or mainly to tourists;†; and. This may interest you : Travel therapy: taking a trip to the health of your brain. Example 1.
Why do you think it is important to provide quality service in tourism?
The quality of tourism services in an organization is defined in terms of quality of excellence, quality of value, quality of conformity to a certain extent, and quality is seen as a very important factor in meeting the expectations of tourism customers. See the article : Five ways to survive air travel this summer.
Why do people like supporting local businesses?
Local businesses can strengthen a community Local businesses build strong communities and vibrant city centers by connecting people through an economic and social web. Buying from a local business helps the local community keep food on the table and interactions with them are often more personal.
Do people enjoy supporting local businesses? Majority of Consumers Shop Small to Keep Money Local Our survey shows that 57 percent of consumers say they shop locally to keep money close to home, and 38 percent of consumers support local businesses to feel connected to their communities.
Why do people want to support local businesses?
Local businesses can strengthen a community. Buying from a local business helps the local community keep food on the table and interactions with them are often more personal. Local businesses don’t often get as many customers as larger businesses, but this allows them to build better relationships with their customers.
Why do people like supporting small businesses?
They care about and invest in the well-being of your community and its future. Local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to nonprofits. Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger businesses.
How small business help the community?
They keep taxes close to home. Likewise, one of the ways that small businesses benefit the community is that the taxes flow back into the community. Taxes paid to small businesses, and the local taxes paid by small businesses, ultimately pay for community improvements such as schools, green space, public transportation, and health care…
How do small businesses help communities? Owning a small business often supports other small businesses by creating more jobs, making everyday needs more accessible, and increasing their city’s revenue. In addition, people in the community often feel more inclined to shop at local businesses because they see it as supporting their city, neighbors and local families.
How does a business impact the community?
How do small businesses affect the community? Small businesses add jobs to local areas and can quickly adapt to change. Small businesses are also known for bringing opportunities to individuals overlooked by large companies by deploying smart and effective staff.
What do small businesses bring to a community?
Small businesses contribute to local economies by bringing growth and innovation to the community in which the business is located. Small businesses also help boost economic growth by providing employment opportunities for people who may not be employable at larger companies.
