Ibiza: travel agents learn its underwater heritage

Three two-hour online sessions and a conference in Eivissa, Ibiza, have brought the island’s heritage beneath the sea to international travel agents, dive centres and the public. The programme ran last week as part of the European ECOSEAROUTES project. Underwater archaeologist Dr Marcus Heinrich Hermanns led the sessions, organised by the Balearic Islands Tourism Strategy Agency (Aetib).

Sessions for overseas markets

A German-language webinar was held for agents in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with Sidetours Incoming Services and the Eivissa Tourism Promotion body involved in its organisation.

A separate English session targeted agents in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Companies and dive centres also had a specialist session on sustainable diving and maritime cultural heritage.

Conference in Santa Eulària

Hermanns gave the in-person conference at Teatro España in Santa Eulària des Riu, examining the link between natural heritage and cultural heritage lying underwater. Santa Eulària des Riu Town Hall and the Eivissa Tourism Promotion body supported the event.

At the welcome for international agents, Tourism Director General Miguel Rosselló outlined sustainability measures being taken in the islands and the investment impact of the Sustainable Tourism Tax. Hermanns also presented Ibiza’s underwater archaeology and the island’s history connected to the sea.

Aetib director Pere Joan Planas said ECOSEAROUTES, funded through the Interreg Euro-MED programme with European Regional Development Fund money, would help highlight Phoenician archaeological heritage and prehistoric sites across the Balearic Islands. He said the work would also support the protection of fragile areas and broaden the tourism offer.

Aetib is working on the Ibiza part of the project with the Council of Ibiza, the Ibiza and Formentera Chamber of Commerce and Ports IB, among others.

Topics: Culture · Tourism · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com