The magazine Mallorca Global Mag, Winter Edition 2024-2025, focuses on a highly relevant topic: the future of tourism in the Balearic Islands. In this issue, it explores the impact of tourism on the island and the necessary measures to ensure balance. To delve deeper into this subject, we spoke exclusively with Jaume Bauzà, the Balearic Government’s Minister of Tourism, who shares his insights on the challenges and solutions for managing overtourism.

Jaume Bauzà, Balearic Minister of Tourism

Minister Jaume Bauzà. Photo: Govern.

– Do you think there should be limits on tourism on the island?

– The tourism strategy of the Balearic Government is based on prioritizing quality over quantity and promoting the de-seasonalization of the offering by linking tourism with culture and sports to attract visitors throughout the year. It is worth noting that this strategy is proving successful, as demonstrated by an increase of 12% to 19% in visitors to the Balearic Islands between November 2023 and May 2024.

In Mallorca’s case, the gap between the high and low seasons is narrowing, as shown by the fact that 20% of the hotel facilities remain open year-round. However, we must continue promoting year-round tourism, particularly in Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, where tourism remains heavily dependent on the high season.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight the wide variety of cultural and sports activities organized throughout the year in the Balearic Islands, which attract a type of visitor who often returns. This strategy favors attracting a different kind of tourist who seeks quality and experiences associated with culture and sports rather than the traditional sun and beach offering.

– Where should we start to address the issue of overtourism?

– The first step we must take is controlling the supply by resolving the problem posed by illegal tourism accommodations. Regulated accommodations can be controlled, but illegal accommodations create problems on several levels: they increase the number of people visiting our islands, put those operating legally at a disadvantage, and create a misleading and negative image of the tourism model of our islands, which is of excellent quality and environmentally conscious.

– Are there measures from other destinations that could work in Mallorca?

– We are currently studying various proposals that are being discussed in the working groups of the Pact for the Economic and Social Sustainability of the Balearic Islands.

– What concrete measures are being considered to reduce the impact of overtourism in the short and long term?

– It’s clear to us that our model cannot focus on increasing accommodation capacity. We must prioritize quality and sustainability as the guiding principles for the transformation that both the sector and the public are demanding.

Moreover, diversifying the offering, attracting demand in other areas and seasons, and providing different experiences will help regulate visitor flows without having to give up tourism as the main economic driver of the Balearic Islands.

– How can we ensure a balance between the economic interests of the tourism sector and the residents’ quality of life?

– By working together, making joint decisions, and prioritizing quality and sustainability above all else. This is precisely the goal of the Sustainability Pact. We’ve brought the issue to the table and invited everyone to participate, contribute ideas, and express opinions as we make decisions that affect us all.

💡 Read the full report: “Mallorca: From Excess Tourism to Overtourism”.

💡 Continue reading: Interview with the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rosario Sánchez.