Alejandra Ferrer, the Vice President and Councillor of Tourism, together with Catalina Ramis, Data Observatory Department Technian, presented the results of the Tourism Satisfaction Barometre today in the Sala de Cultura (Cinema). This barometre is based on nearly 2,500 surveys seeking to gauge tourists' degree of satisfaction and analyse potential threats Formentera faces as a destination as well as its strengths to take measures that can best satisfy tourists and islanders alike. "Indeed, the two groups often concur", explained Councillor Ferrer.

Beaches, landscape and climate continue to rank among visitors' favourite aspects of Formentera, with a particularly noteworthy increase in visitors' sense of tranquility. The Vice President pointed out that the feeling of saturation in the island's ability to accommodate people and vehicles, together with high prices, continue to rank among visitors' least favourite aspects of Formentera. But Ferrer stressed that "overall satisfaction remains above 99%...99.2%, which is exceptional". The most prevalent visitors were from mainland Spain, followed by Italian.

Additionally, Alejandra Ferrer explained that rankings of visits to heritage and cultural sites went up as well, along with gastronomy, local cuisine, sports and other activities long the subject of promotion. Likewise, the number of repeat visitors is high: more than 60% of visitors come back and have done so for more than ten years. Satisfaction with service from staff at lodgings and restaurants has improved, Ferrer said. "Across the board, measures related to COVID-19 have meant visitors feel better cared for, and this may be a chance to see to it those measures well established, if not compulsory". The tourism councillor remarked that the business of regulating the number of day visitors to the island remained unfinished. "The figure is very high and generates a feeling of saturation", Ferrer said. "Day visitors want to see everything in a few hours, and they frequently travel in vehicles, which means, the number of vehicles and people being constant, islanders and overnight tourists' feeling of saturation is intensified".

The meeting was also attended by President Ana Juan, who underscored, first, "the work done by staff at the Data Observatory and the Formentera Office of Tourism to develop a diagnosis "that will tell us where we are doing well and where we can improve". She noted that the season "was good, but in certain periods we had the perception of saturation on our roads and beaches; this is insight that we will consider as we work on future initiatives to improve this situation, strike a balance on that perception on the part of residents and tourists".

18 November 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

From 8.30pm next Saturday 27 November, the crowd at Formentera's Sala de Cultura (Cinema) will experience a love story with a capital 'L'. “Smiley: Una història d'amor" offers a lighthearted account of the fears we face when we fall in love.

The production explores the mark left on our lives by new technologies, WhatsApp and smart-phones, while accurately dissecting the contradictions of emotional relationships. It shows us that, in the game of love, we are all equally vulnerable.

According to Japanese legend, when two people are destined to be together, an invisible red thread tied to their little finger binds them from the day they are born. This thread is unbreakable and has the power to keep two people together forever, no matter how far apart they are or how different they may appear. This is the premise on which Smiley is based. It is also a tribute to the classic romantic comedies, from figures like Nora Ephron and Howard Hawks. Smiley is all this and much more, but especially, it is a hymn to love in all its forms.

The comedy is directed by Joan M. Albinyana and features Héctor Seoane and Joan Toni Sunyer. The Association of Public Theatres of the Balearic Islands (ATAPIB) awarded both Seoane and Sunyer with the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor. The production has had a great impact on adult and young audiences.

It is recommended for all audiences. The show can be seen at 8.30pm on Saturday 27 November in Formentera's Sala de Cultura (Cinema). Tickets are priced at €7 (€5 for under 25s) and go on sale Friday 19 November at www.entradesformentera.cat. Admission is free for unemployed people and currently under-employed freelancers.

El Somni Productions

Joan Porcel started El Somni Productions, a theatre production company, in March 2012. The backdrop of crisis has done nothing to dilute the desire for committed and high-quality text-driven theatre. The troupe performs its catalogue, from adapted classics to contemporary productions, in theatres as well as alternative venues and non-conventional spaces.

'Up close and personal' underpins the El Somni philosophy. The company firmly believes that the foremost virtue in theatre is knowing how to adapt to one's environment to ensure the broadest reach for one's message.

Cultural support

“Smiley: Una història d'amor" receives support from Institut d'Estudis Baleàrics. Safety protocol and current regulations will be in place at the functions.

18 November 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera