The Sustainability Pact of the Balearic Islands has completed its diagnostic phase with the presentation of the document ‘Foundations of the Transition Agenda’, which identifies 247 transformation factors and defines 59 strategic objectives and 65 development objectives. Among the highlighted measures is the redefinition of the tourist tax strategy, differentiating according to seasonality, which could result in a increase in the eco-tax during high season and a reduction in low season.

The President of the Government, Margalida Prohens, chaired the second meeting of the Social and Political Sustainability Pact for Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in the Balearic Islands. Photo: CAIB.

This new approach includes moving away from strategies based on high volumes and low prices, instead opting for tourism competitiveness based on sustainability. This suggests the possibility of a reduction or, at the very least, a containment in the number of visitors to the islands, which in 2024 reached record figures with 18.7 million tourists, 5% more than the previous year. At the same time, the management of tourist flows will be optimised, and fiscal and investment policies will be implemented to support the transition towards sustainability.

Control of Illegal Accommodation

The strategy also includes monitoring and controlling the tourism sector, with particular focus on the proliferation of illegal accommodation and ensuring fair competition. Additionally, there will be a drive for the comprehensive renovation of outdated infrastructure, reinforcing the commitment to a high-quality and balanced tourism model. In this regard, there will also be efforts to diversify and balance tourism infrastructure and services.

Other measures outlined in the transition agenda include:

  • Repositioning the Balearic Islands as a global benchmark for innovative and sustainable tourism.
  • Adapting tourism strategies to the unique characteristics of each island.

In the next phase of the Sustainability Pact, five working groups will define concrete measures to apply these strategies in the short, medium, and long term. The proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts and debated in the Social Dialogue Table and the Balearic Islands Parliament to ensure their feasibility and representativeness.

Sustainability Pact: A One-Way Path in the Balearic Islands

“I believe that with the presentation of the foundations of the transition agenda, born from nine months of dialogue and consensus, we are embarking on a one-way path in the Balearic Islands, a path leading us towards the goal we set from day one: the transition towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability, a transition towards improving the well-being of all citizens of the Balearic Islands,” stated the President of the Government, Margalida Prohens, during the second meeting of the Social and Political Sustainability Pact for Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in the Balearic Islands.

The event took place at the School of Hospitality of the Balearic Islands, with the attendance of more than 100 entities that have participated over the past months, including representatives from trade unions, business associations, economic sectors, economic circles, chambers of commerce, professional associations and groups, the Impulsa Foundation, and the University of the Balearic Islands.

During her speech, the President expressed gratitude for the crucial work of the Professor of Applied Economics and technical coordinator, Antoni Riera, who has undertaken the enormous task of bringing coherence to the conclusions of the twelve working groups.

Criticism from the Opposition

The PSIB-PSOE MP, Llorenç Pou, stated that the agenda “is yet another example of a lack of ambition and concrete proposals. It is an empty document, full of colours, but in a year when 20 million tourists are expected to arrive, we still have no measures against tourist overcrowding.”

According to Pou, what is most notable in the photo is who is missing, as numerous organisations and political groups have withdrawn from the pact: “The pact is damaged because it is not representative, social organisations are missing. But what is very clear is who the Government is aligning with—the big business owners.”

Read more:

💡 Citizens of the Balearic Islands contribute 576 proposals to the Sustainability Pact

💡 Toni Riera: “We still have time to forge a strategic repositioning of the archipelago”

💡 Prohens promotes a shift in the tourism model of the Balearic Islands