The Formentera Office of Commerce is organising a pottery course for adults at Centre Antoni Tur 'Gabrielet' during the months of January, February and March. Interested parties can register from today until 23 December through the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC) or in person at the Citizen Information Office (OAC).

Ana Juan, president and councillor of commerce, said the class workshop for "people who want to continue the pottery courses, as well as to acquire new knowledge in the different ways of making ceramics". "The administration continues to promote these types of continuing education opportunities for islanders in winter", said Juan.

Space is limited and classes can be held in the morning and afternoon. The course fee is €270, with a 30% discount for under-25s, retirees and people with disabilities.

23 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today the 2022 Tourism Satisfaction Barometer, conducted by the Formentera Data Observatory, was presented at a gathering that included representatives of the tourism sector and members of the general public. Development of the barometer involved administering 2,510 in-depth surveys, mostly in the port of La Savina. Tourists and single-day visitors were differentiated among respondents.

Spanish travellers continue to predominate among visitors to the island, representing 39% of the total. These were followed by Italians, who accounted for 28%. The German, French and English markets were also well represented, with these three making up 17% of the total. Other countries accounted for a combined total of 16% of Formentera's visitors. According to Alejandra Ferrer, vice president and councillor of tourism, the data point to the return of international travellers who had stayed home during the pandemic as well as to increased diversification in the current market.

Sixty-three per cent of Formentera's visitors were between 18 and 44 years old, and 55% were women. Visitors generally came with a partner (40%), friends (29%) or family (28%). Ferrer explained that the Tourism Satisfaction Barometer is designed to show "our visitors' exact level of satisfaction and where we –local government and the business community– need to do better".

Degree of tourist satisfaction
Once again this year, the island's most highly ranked assets were its beaches, natural beauty, opportunities to be in contact with nature, tranquillity, weather, ease of information, safety and local cuisine. The worst rated aspects were value, Wi-Fi connection, traffic, noise and cleanliness. At 93.8%, the level of visitor satisfaction remains excellent, but this has fallen 5.4% since 2021.

Ferrer traced this drop in overall satisfaction to growing complaints about high prices and a perceived overcrowdedness and saturation due in large part to increasing numbers of summertime day-trippers. According to the data, 964,143 people came to Formentera this season and, of that total, 681,815 were day-trippers.

Expenditure
Tourists in 2022 spent on average €98 – as much as they did in 2021. Fifty-three percent of the tourists and day-trippers interviewed said they spent between €50 and €100 per person per day, while 18% spent between €101 and €150. The proportion of high-spending tourists grew 5% compared to 2021.

After the presentation, Turitalk's Nuria Moya spoke to attendees about how to attract and retain talent in the local tourism industry. The aim, according to Councillor Ferrer, was "to improve the service received by our visitors by giving our business community tools to achieve staff loyalty".

22 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Commerce, which is spearheading the Strengthening Local Business Plan (Pla per a l'enfortiment del comerç, PEC), staged the first working group with sector representatives today. These meetings are part of a participatory work process in which Formentera businesses can provide input to help develop actions to revitalise and improve the commercial fabric of the island.

The first of the meetings was held today at the offices of Formentera's small- and medium-sized business group (PIMEEF) and attendees included representatives of Focalizza, the company at the helm of the project, as well as heads of municipal departments, PIMEEF and the Formentera Chamber of Commerce (CCF) and local tradespeople and artisans invited by PIMEEF and the CCF. Upcoming meetings will be held at the CCF headquarters and the Consell de Formentera.

22 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Commerce and Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses of Formentera (PIMEF) will launch "Black Friday on Formentera" on 25 November as part of their buy-local "Compra a Casa" loyalty programme. During this day, all purchases of €15 and up at Compra a Casa member stores will be entered into a drawing for a €50 gift card. The winner will be announced 29 November and will be able to pick up his or her prize at the PIMEF offices.

18 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera