Here are a couple of tips when using it.

It costs £6 but you get that back as a flight voucher.

The card requires a minimum top-up of £150

Using it abroad as it adds a 5.75% foreign loading charge, double a typical debit card.

If you don't use it for 6 months there's a £2.50/mth inactivity fee.

There is a £2 charge for ATM withdrawals.

Overnight stays in non-hotel tourist accommodation (holiday dwellings, campsites and rural tourism establishments) exceeded 9.8 million in September, 10.5% more than in the same month of 2010. Overnight stays by resident travellers increased 9.8% and by non-residents in Spain increased 10.9%.

The average stay decreased 1.4%, as compared with September 2010, and stood at 5.7
nights per traveller.

In the first nine months of the year, overnight stays increased 5.4% as compared with the
same period the previous year.

Holiday Dwellings
Overnight stays in holiday dwellings exceeded 6.5 million in September, with an interannual increase of 10.3%1. Overnight stays of residents experienced an increase of 10.9%, and those of non-residents increased 10.2%.

The average stay decreased 4.4%, as compared with September 2010, standing at 7.0 overnights stays per traveller.

Figures from the INE

From the 1st November, only those who pay with Ryanair's own new plastic will get away with paying credit card surcharges. The pre paid MasterCard which has been available to waive the credit card fee is being replaced with Ryanair's new Cash Passport.

Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara says: "Ryanair's £6 admin fee will not apply to any bookings made with Ryanair Cash Passport and there are no transaction charges for using the card at UK merchants until 31 March 2012, so we recommend that UK passengers make the switch to Ryanair Cash Passport as soon as possible."

Jesus Samper, president of Flagship Projects in the Region of Murcia (Premursa) and owner of Real Murcia, maintains plans to begin construction of the Paramount theme park next summer and notes that 40 million euros will be enough for the machines start working in the fields of Alhama de Murcia.

He notes that has received a favorable impression among five groups of investors from China and America. "They like the idea of ​​a mix between the theme park and LifeStyle. Now they are looking at the numbers, "said this newspaper yesterday.

The project will be presented today at the Spanish Arab Investment Forum which meets at the Intercontinental Hotel in Torre Pacheco. It will be one of the stars of the conference, which will be attended by some thirty Arab businessmen.

Premursa in February reached an initial agreement with several owners, including Intersa, to acquire 1.6 million square meters for about 15 million euros. Samper acquired the license to Paramount Pictures for about 2 million euros. 20% of the initial capital is held Premursa the Institute of Tourist Development and Murcia, which contributed 200,000 euros.

The majority shareholder of that company explains Premursa must capture 446 million euros to build the project. A third of the revenue will come from the development and sale of plots in the complex LifeStyle. Moreover, the private investors will bet on the Paramount park and the rest is thought to get bank financing.

The rest of the capital, reaching 1,093 million euros are needed to perform both complex will come from companies that want to settle in the area to build their hotels, shopping centers and office buildings.

"First we have to develop the land and prepare the plots for resale," says Jesus Samper, referring to the area occupied by LifeStyle. This operation expects sufficient liquidity to prop up the project. Premursa theme park plans to open in 2015 with 2.7 million visitors a year, with the goal of reaching 3.6 million ten years later.

According to the business plan submitted weeks ago in Madrid, in the presence of Vice President of Paramount Licensing Michael Bartok, aims to create 22,061 jobs directly and indirectly, most of them, some 16,000 during the construction phase.

According to Samper the project will generate an economic impact of 535 million euros annually, which represents 2% of regional GDP.

Except for unforeseen last minute urban connection with the processing, Samper say`s they wil begin to execute the park next year.

This story was reported in the Laverdad.es

This golf course is located only 15 minutes drive from San Javier airport and the beaches of the Mar Menor and close to the small town of Torre Pacheco on land that was previously a fruit orchard and includes a nine hole golf course that was designed by Dave Thomas and was recently the venue for the season ending Euro-pro Tour Championship won by James Busby in a three way play off on a score of 14 under par.

Mar Menor Course Review

This course was originally opened as a 9 hole course designed by Dave Thomas later converted into an 18 hole course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus. Although the new holes were opened approx 2 years after the course was opened if is difficult to see the ‘join’ as these new holes have been easily integrated and combined with the existing holes resulting in a par 72 course of 5,801 metres (6,381 yards) which is relatively short by modern standards but with three lakes positioned on both ‘nines’ just to make things ‘interesting’. Without doubt this is an ideal resort or society golf course with an emphasis based on positioning the ball in the correct part of the fairway from the tee and then below the flags on the undulating greens. The four par 5 holes are reachable for the longer hitters with the 6th hole being the longest at 477 metres or 525 yards(yellow tees) and the par 3 holes are all medium to long in length with the 17th being the shortest at 140 metres or 154 yards (yellow tees).Some of the earlier holes can ‘lull’ you into a false sense of security but when you reach holes 13,14 and 15 all of which wrap themselves around a man made lake, you are quickly brought to your senses. In particular the 15th hole will test your patience as the small landing ‘areas’ from the tees are well guarded by sand bunkers with one in particular running almost the entire length of the hole on the left hand side right up to the green and you can play this hole in a number of ways by letting the ‘big dog’ eat or play two medium irons from tee and then to green. This course is relatively flat and is ‘walkable’ for those that consider themselves ‘fit’ and should be enjoyed by all standards of golfer.

This article was written by Michael Probert who is the published author of a book called a Golfing Guide to Murcia and published by Lean Marketing and more information on this book can be obtained by calling 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 or visit our all new web-site at www.costa-blanca-greenfees.com.

It looks like there will shortly be more changes involving the courses that were originally constructed under the Polarisworld banner.

You will recall that while La Torre,Hacienda Riquelme and El Valle remain under the name of Polarisworld the courses at Mar Menor,Alhama and Saurines were transferred to the management of Olagolf.

Now it would appear that a company called Global golf will re-collect all of the courses and re-instigate what was the Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail.

Much of this is rumor at present but when more information is known i will provide you all with an update.

During the month of August, 41.5 million overnight stays were recorded in hotel establishments, indicating a 6.2% increase, as compared with the same month in 2010. Overnight stays by residents decreased 1.4%, while non-resident stays increased 12.2%.The average stay increased 0.5% standing at 3.9 nights per guest.

In the period comprised of July and August, overnight stays increased 7.5% as compared with the same period of 2010. Overnight stays by resident guests decreased 0.2%, while by non-residents increased 13.1%.

During the first eight months of the year, overnight stays increased 7.1%, as compared with the same period the previous year.

In turn, the Hotel Price Index (HPI) registered a 1.8% increase, this rate being 2.4 points higher than that registered in August 2010. Regarding the indicators on the profitability of the hotel sector, invoicing per occupied room reached an average value of 81.8 euros (1.8 euros more than one year ago), and income per available room stood at 59.4 euros (3.5 euros more).

72.3% of the available bed places were filled in August, indicating an 3.3% increase as compared with the same month the previous year. The weekend occupancy rate by bed places stood at 75.3%, with an increase of 2.7%.

Stats produced by the INE

Marriage dissolutions increase 3.9% in the year 2010, as compared with the year 2009

Divorces increase 4.7% and separations decrease 5.6%

Three out of four dissolution processes are resolved in less than six months

110,321 marriages were dissolved during the year 2010, that is, 3.9% more than the previous year. The descending trend of dissolutions, which began in 2007 was thus broken.

By type of marriage dissolution, in 2010, there were 102,933 divorces (4.7% more than the previous year) and 7,248 separations (5.6% less). Furthermore, there were 140 annulments, 10.2% more than in the year 2009.

Divorces represented 93.3% of the marriage dissolutions in the year 2010, as compared with separations, which accounted for 6.6%, and annulments, with 0.1%. The upward trend of divorces was thus consolidated within the global marriage dissolution figures.
In the year 2010, there were 245 dissolutions of homosexual marriages. 137 of these dissolved marriages were between men, and 108 were between women.

Stats from the INE

This is very much a true golfers course which is a genuine par 72 championship layout of 6,059 metres (6,6664 yards) from the yellow tees, which tests every aspect of your game but notably the accuracy of driving and distance control. The par 3 holes are all approaching 200 yards in length and will need either a long iron or recovery club to find the putting surface. For the longer hitters the par 5 holes are all approx 500 yards in length and reachable with a few good hits from the ‘screws’ with a long carry over water which awaits any errant shot that you may hit. If you are having a good day and the driver is ‘behaving itself’ then with a few strong tee shots there are a few birdie opportunities on a number of par 4 holes of less than 400 yards BUT a few stray drives will see your score rocket and it could also be costly in lost golf balls. The course management will improve the ‘next tee’ signs in the near future to avoid the weary ‘walker’ from trampling through the heavy rough between tees.

Condado de Alhama Course and Clubhouse Facilities and Services

As of the date of this review there is no clubhouse and the pro-shop is located in the ‘Al Kazar’ commercial centre which is located some distance from the 1st tee which is where you can hire and collect buggies, trolleys and hire clubs. The course has a good driving range with chipping and putting greens.
 

Condado de Alhama Prices

Standard Green Fee (18 Holes) = €65*.
Buggy Hire (18 Holes) = €35.

*Discounted green fees are available from Costa Blanca Green Fee Services by calling 966 704 752 or 661 345 931 and the summer deals are as follows.

2 players and buggy = €90
4 players and 2 buggies = €180
8 players and 4 buggies = €350

Condado de Alhama Golf Resort has become one of the most sought after Polaris World projects recently due to its location in relation to the proposed Paramount Studios theme park.
Although the park is still not under construction investors are pouring into this resort given Condado de Alhama will have easy access to the park if and when it is built. Nevertheless, Condado de Alhama offers a mix of some of the most affordable and best value apartments to the highly acclaimed and spacious luxury villas.

We are able to offer a 90% Finance with 25 years term – First two years interest only Interest at Euribor +2% deal on this development, with property reductions from 130k Euros to 72k Euros.

Please view our main site at  Condado de Alhama for further information

During the first half of the year, overnight stays increased 6.9%, as compared with the same
period the previous year.

In turn, the Hotel Price Index (HPI) registered a 0.1% decrease, this rate being 0.7 points
higher than that registered in June 2010. Regarding the indicators on the profitability of the
hotel sector, invoicing per occupied room reached an average value of 66.4 euros (0.4 euros
more than one year ago), and income per available room stood at 41.3 euros (3.0 euros
more than in June 2010).
58.9% of the available bedplaces were filled in June, indicating an 8.5% increase as
compared with the same month the previous year. The weekend occupancy rate by
bedplaces stood at 65.6%, with an increase of 6.7%.

Guests from Germany and the United Kingdom made more than 10.9 million overnight stays
in June. The German market experienced an interannual increase of 20.0%, while the British
market grew 8.3%.
Overnight stays of guests from France, Italy, and Russia (the following countries of origin)
presented interannual rates of 26.3%, 24.0% and 72.8% respectively.

The main destination chosen by non-residents was Illes Balears. In this Autonomous
Community, overnight stays by foreign nationals grew 19.1%. It was followed by Cataluña,
with an interannual rate of 23.3%, and Canarias, with an increase of 16.4%.
Andalucía, Cataluña and Comunitat Valenciana were the main destinations of guests
resident in Spain, with interannual rates for overnight stays of 0.9%, 1.1% and 2.9%,
respectively.

Stats provided by the INE