Remaining tourist tax funds put to use

THE the use of 9.96 million euros from tourist tax funds for the refurbishment of four properties acquired during the term of office of the previous government was approved yesterday. The Tourist Minister and Government spokesman Joan Flaquer reported that the old Cuartel de Intendencia barracks, Can Fábregues and Can Serra buildings and houses on the Son Real estate, all in Palma, included by the Socialist government as part of the Heritage of the Islands, “are in very poor condition”. Work on their restoration needs to be “undertaken urgently”. Flaquer presided yesterday over a meeting of the Tourist Advisory Board at which the key agenda item was the “discussion of projects which may be financed by funds still available as a legacy of the tourist tax,” which is soon to be abolished. It was also decided to spend an extra 1.45 million euros on the creation of specially designed tracks for those who wish to explore the Islands by bicycle. Half a million euros is to be set aside for increasing the tourist routes in Palma. The minister explained that the cycle track project “is very important” as it fulfils a need of tourists who are keen on making excursions in this way “above all, in mid to low season”. Regarding the promotion of tourist routes, he announced that a “walk” through the aspects of art nouveau in Palma will be developed. This project will be the fourth of its kind, seeing that the previous government had set up similar walks covering the sea-going tradition of the city, the Jewish quarter and the historic convents. Flaquer indicated that the tour through Palma's art nouveau buildings will finish en Can Marqués, where an interpretation centre will be established.
Other projects financed by the tourist tax that were favourably reviewed yesterday were the creation of an environmental park in Sa Pobla at a cost of 596'787 euros; the establishment of a special logo “Sustainability in the Balearics” awarded to spots offering high quality service (875'000 euros); specific improvements in Albufera Natural Park (325'766 euros), the reception centre for Mondragó park (320'000 euros), and the restoration of Penya S'Indio (360'607 euros).