Rafael Roig, the president of the Balearic Transport Federation, accepts there are complaints about packed buses during the summer. While increased frequencies could be a solution, he points to the "current problem" being caused by free travel for residents. But he insists that "residential demand must always come first".
A strong defender of the Balearic Government's sustainability pact for the future tourism model, he argues that there has to be better management of the flows of visitors in order to combat overcrowding.
"We need to cushion and regulate the influx of tourists. If it's better regulated and planned, the impact would be less, society would experience it with less pressure, and businesses could provide better, more efficient service. We must prioritise the well-being of those of us who live here, but without closing the door to those who visit and feed us. This balance involves better management of the impact of tourism when it can be so concentrated, e.g. flights arriving at the same time, cruises coinciding on a single day.
"We must adapt to the market, create higher value-added products, extend the season, and try to maintain competitive prices without sacrificing quality. And always balance this with the well-being of residents, without forgetting that tourism is the main economic driver."
The season, he admits, has been somewhat weaker than last year, "but it cannot be described as bad". "A decline in the German market has been noticeable. This affected July and August, but June and September performed well."
In his opinion there are various factors behind a lower tourist spending that the complementary sector (restaurants, nightlife, etc.) has been complaining about all summer.
"The tourists are still arriving but are spending more cautiously. Added to this are rising prices in the Balearics. This means that much of their budget is used up before using the complementary supply. Traveller behaviour has also changed. More and more tourists are travelling independently, they are cutting back on leisure and dining spending. There is a profile of tourist who comes with the intention of consuming just the right amount: the so-called diesel tourist."
As to the strike by bus drivers in July, Roig believes the concessionaire companies have made a great effort to promote social welfare and ensure that service quality remains paramount. "The TIB agreement involved difficult and lengthy negotiations."