From this summer, beachgoing holidaymakers in Mallorca and the Balearics will be accompanied by a so-called 'Digital Twin'. Said to be pioneering technology in Spain, this will use data and artificial intelligence for real-time monitoring of beach occupancy, giving live information about conditions and helping to manage the flows of people.
In tackling overcrowding, alerts will be activated when beach capacity levels are being reached. Beachgoers will receive advice as to less crowded areas. As well as beach occupancy, the app will also include information regarding water temperature, the colours of beach flags (green, yellow or red) and the presence of jellyfish.
In the first phase of this system, some data will be entered by lifeguards, who will update the information several times a day. Over time, the system will have additional sensors and new data sources, automating the process and improving the accuracy of the information.
Other information will be for coastal safety and water management. For the coasts, the app will integrate geolocated data on weather conditions and any emergency situations. The water management will not be specific to beaches as it will integrate data from water networks in, for example, anticipating any water shortages and so optimising resource use.
The hotel sector sees this Digital Twin as a means of moving toward a more organised tourism model. María José Aguiló, vice president of the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation says it represents the intelligent use of technology "that allows us to anticipate, plan, and make decisions based on real data, not on perceptions".
A simulated example of the app's information is this for Caló des Moro, a beach prone to overcrowding: 'July 26, 2026. Caló des Moro (Santanyi); 11.35am, 95% occupancy. Water temperature: 27 degrees. Green flag. Calm sea and no jellyfish present.'