Tourism
Sustainable tourism citizen initiatives
The region of Pla de Mallorca, historically linked to the rural sector and the island's oldest traditions, is gradually opening up to tourism. The association Pla de Mallorca XXI works intensively to convey civil society's proposals to institutions and the tourism sector. This line of work materializes in two specific actions: the Environmental Seal for the Tourism Sector of the Pla de Mallorca and the advocacy process for the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan.
Leading Entity
Pla de Mallorca XXI
Year
2023
Key Partnerns
ALCAIB, Pla de Mallorca Commonwealth and Government of the Balearic Island
State of the Project
Ongoing and pending funding (for the Environmental Seal for the Tourism Sector implementation)
Keywords
Tourism, Sustainability
Sustainable Development Goals
The Challenge
The region of Pla de Mallorca, historically linked to the rural sector and the island's oldest traditions, is gradually opening up to tourism. In a short time, the Pla de Mallorca has gone from being a completely unknown area in a market focused on sun and beach offerings to becoming a sought-after destination for tourists interested in experiences based on the environment, culture, gastronomy, and history. The Pla has an opportunity but also a challenge: how to design a new, sustainable tourism model based on respect for the territory, its traditions, culture, and people?
This project arises from the need to promote a more sustainable tourism sector that respects the environment and cultural identity of the Pla de Mallorca at a time when it faces the challenge of integrating sustainable practices to reduce its ecological footprint, aligning with the sustainability goals set by the UN’s 2030 Agenda. At the same time, the agricultural sector in the Pla is dealing with mass abandonment and a lack of professionalization, which makes it very difficult to make farming profitable and diversify the region's economy beyond a tourism monoculture.
Both mass tourism and traditional models of intensive resource consumption are unsustainable. This project aims to help establishments apply environmental criteria that promote balanced tourism development, respecting both the environment and the cultural identity of the region. It is urgent to implement pilot projects that are innovative and distinctive, uphold the principles and values of sustainability, and highlight the diversity of the region.
The Solution
The main objective of the project is based, on the one hand, on the monitoring and political advocacy of the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan (an initiative of the Pla Commonwealth funded by European funds) and the creation of an Environmental Seal focused on establishing indicators for sustainable production and consumption for each establishment, such as reducing carbon footprint, water consumption, and waste generation.
In the first case, the work of Pla de Mallorca XXI has focused on promoting civil society’s proposals for the region’s tourism model and monitoring the development of the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan and the various tenders that have been issued, ensuring proper execution and inclusion of the local community's input in designing their tourism model.
In the case of the Environmental Seal for the tourism sector, the initiative proposes that participating establishments implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that allows them to monitor their progress and achieve the sustainability goals set by the project. Additionally, the initiative will promote the use of local products, fostering a circular economy and the consumption of km 0 products. Synergies will be created among the various stakeholders involved in the project, including primary producers, establishments, consumers, and managers, forming collaborative networks that enhance the circular economy.
Key Initiatives
- Political Advocacy: Promotion of the organization's proposals on the tourism model, monitoring the execution of the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan (PSTD), issuing denunciation statements, and holding meetings with institutions.
- Environmental Management System (EMS): Creation of a tool for managing environmental data, such as carbon footprint, water consumption, and waste generation, to improve the environmental performance of tourism establishments.
- Environmental Certifications: Implementation of a certification system with different categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) to recognize establishments that meet established environmental goals.
- Circular Economy: Promotion of the consumption of local and proximity products, encouraging collaboration with local producers to reduce the ecological footprint associated with product transportation.
- Training and Awareness: Training sessions for employees and managers of establishments on best practices in environmental management and efficient resource use.
Impact
- Reduction of Environmental Impact: The project will enable the reduction of carbon footprint, water consumption, and waste generation in tourism establishments in the Pla de Mallorca.
- Improvement of Tourism Sustainability: The implementation of environmental best practices will contribute to a more sustainable tourism model, respectful of the territory and aligned with the 2030 Agenda goals.
- Promotion of Local Products: The promotion of local product consumption will support the local economy and reduce dependence on imported products, while also reducing the ecological footprint.
- Strengthening Territorial Identity: The project will help highlight the cultural identity of the Pla de Mallorca, promoting more mindful and environmentally respectful tourism.
Key Partners
- Pla de Mallorca XXI Association: Collaborator in implementing sustainability strategies.
- Pla de Mallorca Commonwealth, Government of the Balearic Islands, and Consell de Mallorca: Project promoters in the Environmental Seal for the tourism sector
- Daleph: Company responsible for coordinating the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan.
- Association of Environmental Science Graduates of the Balearic Islands (ALCAIB): Collaborator in implementing sustainability strategies.
- Future Partners: Tourism establishments in the Pla de Mallorca, local entities, and proximity producers.
Future Outlook
Pla de Mallorca XXI will continue to monitor the implementation of the Tourist Destination Sustainability Plan, advocating with institutions to ensure its proper execution and that the civil society proposals of the region are taken into account. The Environmental Seal project for the Tourism Sector is awaiting funding for its application in the region. In the future, the plan is to expand its application to other areas of the island and continue developing the methodology to establish a replicable environmental management model for other territories. In the long term, certification systems are expected to be implemented that are recognized nationally and internationally.
Learn More
Discover more about our proposals for sustainable tourism in the Pla de Mallorca on the Pla de Mallorca XXI website: www.plademallorcaXXI.com
