The Balearic Islands Look to Sustainability in Travel

The Balearic Islands has unveiled its tourism strategy for 2022 supported by a €55 million investment and a new legal framework. The goal is to continue to innovate through a series of measures which will make the destination fully “sustainable and circular”.

The regulations commit to a circular economy in the sector, which means that all businesses will be required to have a circularity plan. Circularity will encompass aspects like nutrition, water use, waste and clean energies.

The law lays out other measures like a complete modification of the scale used to classify hotels, including increasing the score for sustainability measures, such as using renewable energies or consumption optimisation systems.

The law also sets out the compulsory installation of both double push buttons on hotel WC cisterns, and water-saving devices on washbasin, bathtub, and shower taps.

It will also promote making use of rainwater – a factor which will be considered when classifying establishments - and tourist establishments must measure their water consumption.

With regards to energy use, tourist establishments will be required to change oil boilers for natural gas or electric ones, emitting 57,600 kilos of CO2 less per establishment each year.

In terms of waste, single-use bathroom amenities will be prohibited. Hotels must also substitute any paper handouts for QR codes and measure the consumption of waste.

Furthermore, establishments must control building temperatures, including in staff areas such as the kitchens.