Ana Juan, President of the Consell de Formentera, and Alejandra Ferrer, Vice President and Councillor of Tourism, met this morning with Rosana Morillo, Director General of the tourism division of regional government to discuss modifying the tourism act of the Balearic Islands. Later the three sat down with representatives of the island's small- and medium-sized business association (PIMEF), Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association of Formentera to discuss the same issue.

President Juan had good things to say about the gathering focused on changes to the Balearic Islands' tourism act. "We hope there will be dialogue and consensus and we hope Formentera's particularities will be taken into account, especially in the hotel sector, since most of our accommodations are small family establishments that will need the extra help and involvement of the Administration to guarantee that the legislation's implementation comes with safeguards and that the islands become a pioneering tourist destination", said Juan.

Councillor Ferrer explained that in the weeks ahead this first working meeting would see meetings of a more technical nature as well as other gatherings involving members of the island's tourism sector "to find out what specific needs should be reflected in the legislation".

"We think the end-game of this act is positive, but legislation needs consensus and participation from both the business community and local government so we can guarantee compliance and every one of us work towards the circular and sustainable tourism that we want", emphasised Ferrer. Announcements were also made about specific local issues requiring attention like urban planning exemptions, which should be addressed within the Tourism Planning Commission, "because Formentera has a very specific territorial configuration, with many different types of protection that must be taken into account and assessed individually," she said. Meeting attendees also requested help for business owners: self-assessment plans could be created, and support could be offered around the plan on circularity. Subsidies were also suggested, as well as strategies to promote involvement and quality work.

1 February 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera