The Balearic Islands (Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) have decided to reorient their tourism strategy in view of the balance between economic activity and conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
To reduce the impact on the environment, the aim is to distribute the arrival of visitors throughout the year and to smooth out the peaks of the high season, through the promotion of seasonal tourist products and services: gastronomy, culture, sport, health and well-being , luxury and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions). All services that can be enjoyed in the Balearics from October to May, and which are visible in the Agenda of the website of the Tourist Strategy Agency of the Balearic Islands (AETIB). Along this line, the public and private sectors are working together to promote tourism segments that diversify the offer: in fact, extending the season improves job stability.
More information is available on the illesbalears.travel website
A further measure through which the institutions of the Balearic Islands promote the sustainability of the archipelago is the “Law on waste and contaminated soil of the Balearic Islands”, recently approved by the Balearic Parliament. It arises from the need to have its own regulation adapted to the reality of the islands and aims to be a law for the sustainable management of waste, as well as a legal instrument to make a transition towards the new European and global paradigm of the circular economy.
The law contains measures for the prevention, reuse and reduction of the dangerous condition of waste, its qualitative and quantitative reduction, as well as to avoid food waste, reduce the generation of packaging waste or ensure its effective management.
Finally, with the law 6/2017, the regulation of tourist rental was also started. Until 2018, in fact, tourist rentals in the Balearic Islands were limited to single-family houses: the approval of a new law meant that the municipalities could choose what type of accommodation to offer for tourist rental in their territory, in what way and in which areas. Thus, this law offers the possibility of developing the tourist rental business where it is positive to do so, and allows to limit it where it can have negative effects and where it represents a threat to the coexistence and well-being of neighbors (noise, waste, difficulties for citizens in access to housing).
Law 6/2017 was also necessary to bring order to a market where there were houses that operated without a license, especially apartments and two-room apartments, which were not subject to any controls. Now, being able to be legalized, these homes respect the legislation and guarantee the rights of users. It has also led to the establishment of quality and sustainability standards for vacation rental properties.