How the tourist tax money is being spent

From January to September 2017, the Balearics received over 12.2 million overseas visitors, a considerable increase of 6.6% year on year. The UK accounted for 27.4% of international visitors, up 1.8% year on year. Despite positive consequences, these increases also present a series of social and environmental challenges.

Barceló outlined details of the sustainable tourism tax which in 2016 and 2017 has raised an estimated €100 million that will be spent on approximately 100 vital tourism initiatives, all aimed at creating a long-term sustainable tourism model for the Balearic.

The four Balearic Islands also outlined their specific tourism focus:

Majorca
The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in Majorca has been recognised by Unesco since June 2011. The area spanning over 90km showcases the very best of rural Majorca and is a geographical gem which is still relatively unexplored.

Offering a sustainable and year-round attraction that can be explored on foot, by bike or car, the ministry aims to showcase the mountain range with a new 360º video transporting visitors to the Majorca mountains through VR glasses or a mobile phone.

The Tramuntana has recently received an investment of €2.3 million funded by the tax to improve specific rural pathways, develop an information point network, create an observatory for public usage and develop and manage a renewable energy project using the natural resources available in the Tramuntana mountain range.

Minorca
Focusing on the old pathway ‘Cami de Cavalls’ which encircles the island, Minorca’s strategy outlines the outstanding cultural heritage of this unique trail which has recently seen a resurgence in usage thanks to upgrades following an investment of €260,000 funded by the tax.

The pathway, which dates back to the sixteenth century and was deemed a ‘royal way’ in 1758 by governor Richard Kane during the first British possession of the island, is arguably one of the best ways to experience many aspects of Minorca including its landscapes, cuisine, culture and history.

Ibiza
Showcasing the more authentic side of the island, Ibiza highlighted its natural parks, including the Ses Salines Natural Park which has recently welcomed investment from the tax aimed at the long-term protection of this significant nature reserve. The island also outlined its focus on wellness; a growing sector which attracts visitors to the island on a year-round basis.

Formentera
The smallest of the islands, Formentera, has launched an initiative aimed at raising funds to conserve the posidonia; a Unesco recognised oceanic marine plant vital to the local ecosystem.

Each of the island’s 76,500,000 square meters of posidonia are available to sponsor and name, for just €1 per square metre. In October 2017, Formentera launched its first ‘Save Posidonia Festival’ to raise awareness of sustainable tourism and the natural environment. The festival welcomed guests from around the world to a series of events and roundtable discussions aimed at generating awareness of the posidonia and establishing important conservation guidelines.

The posidonia project has been supported by the tourist tax with recent investments of approximately €520,000.

Barceló said: "Our tourism strategy is very much focused on growing a sustainable tourism model. Our promotional activities look at generating visitation outside of the main summer season and promoting the more authentic and cultural aspects of the islands. We continue to work on a series of initiatives to preserve the beauty and heritage of our islands and we look forward to warmly welcoming many more British visitors in the forthcoming months."

For details on the tourism tax, please visit www.sustainableislands.travel.

Please note that this article was supplied to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.