Tourism minister Biel Barceló defended sun-and-beach tourism in parliament today, having been put on the spot by Josep Melià of El Pi who had accused the minister of having said that this type of tourism has low spending power; something which "concerns us a great deal", noted Melià.
Barceló said that this tourism brings wealth to the Balearics, nevertheless adding that there is work to be done in order to bring more tourists in the winter. Sun-and-beach tourism, observed Barceló, is firmly consolidated but effort needs to be applied in attracting tourism that is more sustainable and respectful of the environment.
The minister stated that sun-and-beach tourists spend a daily average of 109 euros, while visitors coming for work or business spend an average of 96 euros. Melià added that no one from his party had said anything about low spending power. It had been Barceló who had said it and it was he, according to Melià, who "wants to give up the main source of wealth for the Balearics, which is sun-and-beach tourism".