The Government of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain which includes Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, has committed roughly €730 million to increase responsible and sustainable tourism.
At World Travel Market 2024, the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport for the Balearic Islands, Jaume Bauzà said the funding will go toward financing destination improvement, recovery of cultural and historical heritage, research and training, water management, sustainability projects and the promotion of safe and responsible tourism.
Most of the funding, €470 million, will come from the money the government’s expects to raise for its Sustainable Tourism Tax, with €260 million coming from European funds.
“We must undergo a transition to make our destination more competitive, offer higher quality, and, above all, to ensure environmental sustainability,” Bauza said, without giving specifics.
Public administrations, including the regional government, island councils, and municipalities, now have access to grants for projects that benefit local residents and enhance the tourist experience. Bauza emphasized the archipelago’s commitment to working with local communities on its tourism strategy.
The Balearics Government has launched a participatory process for the transformation of its tourism model with more than a hundred institutions and entities working to to reach a social and political pact to be an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable destination.
The autonomous Spanish archipelago received an estimated 14 million visitors in 2023 and has seen a 4.4% increase in the number of visitors from January to September 2024 compared to the same period as last year.
