The tourism and culture ministries have signed an agreement under which the Balearic Tourism Agency (ATB) and the culture directorate will work together in order to "internationalise the islands' culture through a tourism strategy".
Tourism minister Biel Barceló said that the regional government intends investing between 400,000 and 600,000 euros on promoting cultural tourism, adding that there has never been such an agreement to produce synergy between tourism and the Balearic cultural industry.
Ruth Mateu, the culture minister, pointed out that among actions being envisaged will be support for audiovisual productions which benefit the tourism sector. In this regard she highlighted the work of the Balearic Film Commission in identifying locations, but both she and Barceló accept that current tax incentives for filming are not enough.
Mateu noted that a tax on internet provider lines to be used to help fund the audiovisual sector is being studied. Barceló referred to "lines of direct subsidy" for producers who film in the Balearics.
The agreement between the ministries envisages the creation of a joint committee comprising two representatives from both ATB and the culture directorate. This will monitor activities and generate proposals. The agreement will last until 31 December next year.