Mallorca group sees its ideas in EU tourism plan – and gaps
In Palma, Mallorca, Spain, Impulsa Baleares sees its ideas in a new EU tourism plan – but says funding for destinations under heavy pressure remains unclear. The European Commission presented the strategy on Wednesday. Impulsa said on 5 November that its technical director, Antoni Riera, had helped prepare two advisory opinions cited in the plan.
Beyond visitor numbers
The European Economic and Social Committee unanimously approved the first opinion on 27 February 2025. It called for tourism to be judged on more than visitor totals, with greater attention to the natural, social and economic resources of destinations.
The European Committee of the Regions unanimously approved the second on 10 December 2025. Led by Balearic government president Marga Prohens, it called for visitor flows to be managed using data, for regions and local authorities to have more say, and for residents’ wellbeing and the needs of islands to be taken into account.
The questions left for the Balearics
The Commission’s strategy adopts a shift from volume to value. It also sets out plans for a tourism observatory, an EU tourism academy and tools for destinations. Most of its measures are due to be rolled out from 2027.
But shared aims do not mean every recommendation has made it into the plan, Impulsa says. Funding for destinations under heavy tourism pressure, social and environmental measures, and a more distinct approach to islands still need to be worked out. For the Balearics, the foundation says, the links between tourism, housing, essential services and social cohesion matter too.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com