Marga Prohens, President of the Balearic Islands, has been appointed Rapporteur for the own-initiative opinion "Towards Sustainable and Resilient Tourism in the European Union: Strategy for Balanced and Adaptive Management."
The Balearic Islands are committed to positioning the Balearic Islands as a model for sustainable tourism, ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and the well-being of local communities.
Speaking at the NAT Commission meeting, Francisca Ramis Pons, Director General for Institutional Relations and Relations with the Parliament of the Balearic Islands Government, stated: "Our region is leading a regional debate process involving all relevant stakeholders through working groups, with the aim of designing the foundations for a transition agenda that positions the Balearic Islands as a reference for innovative and sustainable tourism."
This opinion will contribute to the European Commission’s forthcoming strategy for sustainable tourism, ensuring a balanced approach that supports tourism development while safeguarding the environment, local communities, and the economic viability of destinations.
Ramis Pons highlighted that the objective of this opinion is to provide solutions to the main challenges facing tourism and to dispel the negative perception of “overtourism” by emphasising its social and economic value.
Key Challenges Identified:
1️⃣ Impact on residents
2️⃣ Deterioration of the tourist experience
3️⃣ Overloaded infrastructure
4️⃣ Environmental damage
5️⃣ Threats to cultural heritage
Proposed Solutions:
✅ Efficient tourism flow management
✅ Regulation of tourist accommodation
✅ Innovation and participation through collaborative governance and digital tools
✅ Sustainable financing through tourist taxes
"Our goal is to achieve a more sustainable and balanced tourism model, ensuring that it remains a driver of employment and economic growth without compromising the well-being of local communities or the environment. The tourism model must benefit both residents and visitors alike," concluded Ramis Pons.
Next Steps:
📅 11 July – Discussion and adoption in the NAT Commission
📅 October – Adoption by the CoR Plenary
