The Balearic Islands tourist board has produced a sustainable tourism strategy for the four islands Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera that make up the Balearic archipelago.
The Islands sustainable tourism tax raised an estimated €100 million in 2016 and 2017 and this will be spent on some 100 tourism initiatives aimed at creating a long-term sustainable tourism model for the Islands.
The specific sustainable tourism focus for the four Balearic Islands
Mallorca
The UNESCO listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in Mallorca spans over 90km and showcases the best of rural Mallorca and is still relatively unexplored.
It offers a year-round attraction to be explored on foot, by bike or car.
The area has received €2.3 million from the Tax to improve specific rural pathwayscreate an observatory for public usage and develop and manage a renewable energy project using the natural resources available in the mountain range.
Menorca
The Menorca's Tourist Board strategy focuses on the Cami de Cavalls, an ancient pathway which encircles the island.
This dates back to the sixteenth century and was deemed a 'royal way' in 1758 by governor Richard Kane during the first British possession of the island, is one of the best ways to experience the island's landscapes, cuisine, culture and history.
An investment of €260,000 has been funded by the Sustainable Tourism Tax.
Ibiza
Ibiza will highlight its natural parks, including the Ses Salines Natural Park which has received investment from the Sustainable Tax aimed at the long-term protection of this nature reserve.
Formentera
Formentera, the smallest of the Balearic Islands, is raising funds to conserve the posidona, a UNESCO recognised oceanic marine plant vital to the local ecosystem.
Each of the island's 76,500,000 square meters of posidonia are available to sponsor and name, for just €1 per square metre.
Formentera has launched the 'Save Posidonia Festival' to raise awareness of sustainable tourism and nature.
The first festival, in October 2017, staged a series of events and roundtable discussions aimed at generating awareness of the Posidonia and establishing important conservation guidelines.
The Posidonia project has received €520,000 from the Sustainable Tax.
www.saveposidoniaproject.org/en