On 3 May 2019 the Balearic Islands Tourism Board updated the tourism industry of the UK on its sustainable strategy and success to date since implementing the tourism tax in 2016.

The briefing was held in line with the Balearic Island Tourism Board's objective of developing a sustainable tourism model, which does not impact negatively on the destination and which benefits the local community on three levels; environmental, societal and economical. 

200 million euros have already been raised since the tax introduction funding a total of 156 projects in Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Jaume Alzamora; director of the Balearic Islands Tourism Board and Alexandra Wilms; director of communications at the Balearic Islands government talked through the next set of goals and the impact the tax has had on the island's tourism.

Joining Jaume and Alexandra was an esteemed panel led by Clare Jenkinson; senior destinations and sustainability manager at ABTA, Pippa Jacks; group editor at TTG and Tim Fairhurst; director of policy at the European Tourism Association (ETOA).

Recently developed key initiatives which promote a long-term and sustainable tourism model include that were mentioned during the event included:

• The introduction of a waste management law: the new legalisation surrounding sustainable waste and polluted soils was approved by parliament on 29 January 2019. The law outlines reducing the use of plastic, alimentary waste and regulating other types of waste.
• The introduction of a law against climate change and transitioning to clean energy: the new law, which includes a series of measures focused around clean energy transition with the ambition of developing a 100% renewable energy model and eradicating the use of fossil fuels by 2050, was approved by parliament on 12 February 2019.
• Guaranteeing certain standards of quality and sustainability in holiday rental homes and limiting the expansion of tourist accommodation: The current limit on tourist lodging in Mallorca is at 430.000 with approximately 20.000 beds still available. Once these are sold, there will be no further tourists accommodation spaces to purchase.
• Aid for businesses to install solar panels: In 2019 it was announced that there would be an introduction of €200,000 in aid for businesses, and several tourism companies have already signed up.
• Boosting the use of electric vehicles in the rent-a-car sector and the installation of charging points: There will be approximately 1,200 recharging points installed across the Balearic Islands in 2019.
• Law on environmental and economic sustainability in Formentera: regulating vehicle access to the island: The island council allocated a budget of €350,000 in 2019 to establish limitations to the access of vehicles into Formentera and apply temporary restrictions.
• Costal management project in Sant Antonio De Portmany Bay: The island of Ibiza will undertake a coastal management project which includes the installation of a pedestrian walkway, improving the durability of the area's sewage system and reconstructing and expanding existing piers which will be carried out by 2022.
• The restoration of the Camí de Cavalls trail: The recovery project for the historical footpath across the coast of Menorca will begin in 2019, with the aim to restore parts of the trail which have become worn over time as a result of coastal urban development.
• Acquisition of the 'Es Canons' estate in Arta: The Es Canons project, recently carried out in 2019, saw the acquisition of the emblematic natural heritage space, opening parts of the estate to the public and allowing the expansion of the Llevant Natural Park in Mallorca.
• Underwater Atlas: Mapping Posidonia Oceanica seagrass: The multi-island project, set to be completed in 2019, involves the creation of an underwater atlas to help regulate the activities that might affect Posidonia and other natural plants and habitats along the ocean bed.
• The recovery of dunes in important environmental areas across the Balearic Islands: The project surrounds the preservation of the dunes across the islands, which are part of the Natura 2000 Network and aims to slow deterioration of these fragile spaces by 2019.
• Annual beach, cove and public space clean-up plan: The recent multi-island project involved the clean-up of public spaces around the islands, eliminating litter and waste in coastal areas, river banks and beaches. The initiative was developed in collaboration with organisations which work alongside people at risk of social exclusion.
• Acquisition of the Sa Senieta rural estate: Another recent key project was the purchase and restoration of the Sa Senieta estate in Formentera; the only property on the island that has been declared a cultural heritage asset under the Balearic Islands Historical Heritage Law. The acquisition saw the re-opening of the estate to the public in a bid to recover some of the historical and cultural heritage of Formentera.
• Restoration of sections of the Alcudia city walls: The project, recently carried out in 2018, saw the restoration of part of the historical and cultural heritage of the Island of Mallorca and municipality of Alcúdia.
• The renovation and outfitting of the San Diego Convent: The project which will be implemented in 2019 consists in acquiring the 6 buildings that face the convent of San Diego with the objective to recover the west façade and preserve the historic space, improving the attraction for tourists.

-ENDS-

Editorial Notes

For more information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit www.illesbalears.travel / www.sustainableislands.travel

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For more information contact Kate McWilliams, Lucy Keenan or Holly Ingram at LOTUS:  BalearicIslands@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470