We have written before about the Foro De Almerimar and support it as much as we can. We attended the first (or second) meeting that they held and informed them of the blog and invited them to use it as much as they wanted (for the record we have received two items direct from the Foro this year, everything else has come through our own endeavors or via business contacts). We even offered to design, host and run a free site for them ……

Over the last couple of weeks I have started to look at what the future holds for the Foro De Almerimar. I wrote recently about the Time For Business To Change In Almerimar and at the time I had at the back of my mind that the Foro could be at the center of that change. Over the last couple of weeks I have started to revise that opinion.

As I understood it from the initial meeting and subsequent conversations the primary objective of the Foro was to provide an environment for businesses to get together and discuss initiatives to help stimulate growth in Almerimar. It wasn’t intended to promote individual businesses, and it was not intended that it would promote or favour individuals. It certainly wasn’t there to promote itself.

Take the recent Feria Virgen del Carmen by way of an illustration. By my reckoning (we were given the prices of a half page and full page advert) the Foro have done an excellent job in raising over 6.000€ …… or should I say the local businesses have done an excellent job in supporting the Foro? See where this is heading? A little ‘chicken or egg’ here! I can only assume that the money went towards the cost of the Club de Playa facilities, which would seem sensible and practical …… but how did that actually benefit the businesses in Almerimar directly? If I am a bar owner in the marina is it really in my interests for people to be going into another venue to eat and drink when they could be doing that in my bar?

If this was tennis that would be 15-0!

Ah but the Foro could say that they facilitated the opportunity for the bars and restaurants to set up facilities in the Playa giving them the option to generate revenue and awareness. Indeed as was commented on the site, Cafe H@cker did just that in association with the rugby club.

15-15!

Ah, but I am a small bar with limited resources and staff and as we are all aware times are tough here so how do you expect me to staff two facilities, or afford to close down my bar for the night, especially after I have already paid you to advertise in the magazine?

30-15!

But ……… the Foro would be correct in saying that they are only here to provide opportunities and that is what they did. It is not up to them to sort out the logistical and operational issues of the businesses.

30-30!

That is a good point, but without thriving bars, restaurants, shops etc. Almerimar has no heart and soul and no one will want to come and visit or live here, would be a justifiable retort would it not?

40-30

So now we are at a crucial point. If the businesses win the next point then that is game over for the Foro. So it really is up to the Foro to rally strongly …….. but can it or indeed should it even?

I have a feeling that the Foro believes that it isn’t here to help promote specific businesses but to try and ‘do good stuff’ for Almerimar, and help organise events for people to enjoy here, yet what the businesses really need is targeted and specific assistance.

So before the next point is played out I think the Foro needs to take a time out and consider what is best, after all fewer people are attending the meetings, and the recent activities at the Club de Playa were not a huge success.

So it appears the Foro is at a crossroads, and if I could issue a word or warning as a impartial observer care is needed as to to which direction it takes as one of the roads appears to be a dead end!

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar

Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.