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Formentera to reinstate formentera.eco fee in summer 2021

Decision to suspend fees came amid uncertainty around summer 2020 season. Residents of Balearics get accreditation at no charge.

The Formentera Department of Mobility reports that this summer motorists will again have to pay a fee to drive on the island between 24 June and 7 September 2021. Visitors must pay €1.00/day (€5.00 minimum) for cars and €0.50/day for motorbikes and mopeds (€2.50 minimum). Residents of Formentera and the rest of the Balearics, and drivers of electric vehicles, receive formentera.eco accreditation free of charge.

Mobility councillor Rafael González explained, “We thought it appropriate to reinstate the fee given the favourable turn of pandemic conditions and growing demand among Formentera’s visitors to come to the island with a personal vehicle”. The fee was placed on hold last year in a context of uncertain prospects for the summer season.

González said high demand in 2020 meant some drivers saw their accreditation requests denied during the month of August.

In addition, commercial interest has been detected in the maritime route connecting the two Pine Islands. One of the ferry companies has taken issue with formentera.eco for limiting the stream of incoming vehicles, and an additional firm has shown interest in providing service on the Eivissa-Formentera line. By González’s lights, “It speaks to the need for a scheme like formentera.eco, where the idea is to keep residents and visitors happy and guarantee sustainability by preventing high-season strain on local roads”.

Confirming bookings
On 15 March, the formentera.eco website began offering drivers the possibility of reserving vehicle accreditation in advance and confirming the booking via email and payment in the first half of June. González said the fee was designed to encourage longer stays, which he described as “particularly key to local tourism”.

Advance reservations
González drew attention to the 50% increase in advance reservations registered by formentera.eco since emergency orders were lifted. 1,783 advance reservations were made during the 56-day period from 15 March to 9 May (per-day average: 32). 491 advance reservations were made during the ten days from 10 to 19 May (per-day average: 49). The upward trend was highlighted by President Ferrer and members of the local business community at a presentation at this week’s International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur).

Consell d’Entitats
Lastly, González noted that the fee received backing from the Consell d’Entitats in February 2020. The Consell d’Entitats decision to assess the fee in summer 2021 will be communicated in the days ahead to Consell d’Entitats member groups.

21 May 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera