About 16.5 million travelers visited the islands last year, very close to pre-pandemic levels. Most tourists traditionally come here for the hot summer sun and clear sea.
However, even regular guests of the Balearic Islands would do well to remember what new rules have been introduced here in recent years.
Tourist accommodation tax
The Balearic Islands became the second region in Spain where the authorities introduced a tourist tax. The first was Barcelona. This tax, also known as the “sustainable tourism tax”, means a fee of 1 to 4 euros per person per night. It is paid at the hotel, and the amount of the fee depends on the category of the accommodation facility.
At the expense of the sums collected from tourists, local environmental activities are carried out, such as the conservation of seaweed — the oxygen-producing posidonia that gives the Balearic Sea its famous turquoise hue, as well as the restoration of mountain lodges in the rocky Serra de Tramuntana region of Mallorca.
Fines for bad behavior
Over the past few years, the government of the Balearic Archipelago has taken a number of measures to combat unsafe and antisocial behavior in places such as the beach resort of Magaluf in Mallorca and the West End of San Antonio de Portmany in Ibiza. Now tourists can relax and forget about previous impressions of these regions.
Tour operators, bars and members of the local tourist community in these areas are no longer allowed to advertise pub crawls, set up happy hours, invite boat parties and give away free drinks. The Balearic government imposes fines for offenses such as soliciting women and drinking too much.
Vacation without plastic
To protect the natural wealth of the Balearic Islands, the authorities have taken another step towards becoming a place where single-use plastic will not be used.
Thus, plastic bags are already banned in Formentera, and the Balearic waste law has pushed hotel businesses are moving away from disposable plates, cutlery, glasses and bottles in favor of locally reusable tableware.
In addition, since February last year, all hotels in the Balearic Islands have been saving water and using clean energy sources.
Less Emissions and Noise
From 2019, Formentera has restricted entry of vehicles during the high season.
All tourists wishing to drive here by car or motorbike from mid-June to mid-September must apply for a permit in advance, and if approved — pay a tax of between 1.50 and 3 euros per day.
Electric cars are allowed without restrictions, and hybrids receive a 50 percent discount. Menorca is also considering a similar scheme that could be launched as early as this summer.
