Barceló accepts that it is not possible to limit the actual number of tourists but adds that there can be a limit established on the number of tourist places (in accommodation). He concedes that next summer is likely to be much the same as this summer in terms of tourist demand for the Balearics on account of ongoing security issues in key competitor destinations.
The minister emphasises the "sustainable tourism" measures being adopted, such as the tourist tax, and says once more that the draft for legislation regarding holiday rentals will be ready by the end of the year. This, he suggests, will be one way of establishing limits on the number of tourist places.
He is also intimating that there may be two separate parts to new tourism regulation - one that will concentrate on holiday rentals - and another to focus on various matters that cause concern, such as all-inclusives, beach clubs and car rental.
Barceló and the director of the Balearic Tourism Agency, Pere Muñoz, are both referring to a desire to shift summer tourism (some at any rate) to the winter. Muñoz accepts that this will not be easy, but suggests that there could be "lines of support" for businesses to create tourist products out of the summer season. He also refers to an "action related to connectivity" (air, it would seem) that is not being defined but which will be revealed soon enough. This will not, he stresses, involve tax incentives.
In addition to changes to tourism legislation that Barceló plans, the minister also indicates that he is looking at agreements with tour operators to strengthen winter tourism, at improvements to water infrastructure (for which revenue from the tourist tax might be used) and at negotiations with the airports authority Aena regarding routes in the winter.
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The Ecotasa proceeds will be spent on a massive investigation into the ongoing corruption in government, except that the money will run out before anything is acheived. Job done.
I am sure our tourism supremo will not blame the hoteliers for this year's 'saturation' - his new buzz word. What does he say about the proliferation of agroturismos and Palma boutique hotels that spring up every year? Nothing of course. He will be out to bash the poor Airbnb and villa owner trying to get through the winter. The all inclusives are also an easy target, but I can't see anything will change there. Maybe encourage them to spend money on improvements rather than sending their profits to the Carribean. At least there will be no need this winter for his annual jollys abroad to promote tourism - but I expect no change to that! As for the extremely damaging tourist tax - this should be spent on urgent repairs to the leaks which lose the valuable water we have to 'sustain' tourism, as well as sorting the depuradores to avoid fecal escapes like this week's disaster in the Albufera. Give the councils the money to stop them arguing whose fault it all is. Forget about repairing old castles etc. until those problems are resolved. Of course he'll say his hands are tied by central government, and nothing will be done.
LIMIT ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE DEALS GET AENA TO REDUCE LANDING FEES IN SUMMER, AND ESPECIALLY WINTER. TOURIST TAX INCREASES, AND TAX INCREASES IN JANUARY, WILL REDUCE TOURISM. EURO EXCHANGE RATES WILL REDUCE TOURISM, MAKING EVERY COST EXPENSIVE. POOR QUALITY AND COSTS, OVERALL,, WILL REPULSE VISITORS.