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European strategy could increase tourist overcrowding in the Balearics

It is argued that measures could have the opposite effect to that which is intended

Palma, where tourist pressure is at its greatest | Photo: Efe

| Palma | |

Various organisations in the Balearics believe a document agreed at European level for future tourism strategy fails to address the central issues affecting the islands.

On Thursday, the European Committee of the Regions unanimously approved a document on tourism and sustainability. Much of this was driven by the Balearics - President Prohens was in attendance.

Local groups argue that this doesn't acknowledge that the current volume of visitors is incompatible with territorial limits and that the document fails to confront the problem of tourist saturation and the need for real reduction in tourism in the Balearics.

One of the groups who put out a statement on Saturday was Menys Turisme Més Vida (Less Tourism More Life), which has been behind tourism protest action in Mallorca.

While they appreciate that the text acknowledges certain impacts - environmental pressure, overcrowding, degradation of cultural heritage, loss of identity, difficulties accessing housing, and water stress - they criticise its lack of clear conclusions or structural proposals.

In their view, the report emphasises measures such as digitalisation, "smart" management, market diversification, and tackling seasonality, which do not reduce overcrowding and may even intensify it.

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