The Govern, led by President Marga Prohens, has announced a new strategy for the allocation of funds raised through the sustainable tourism tax, emphasizing a focus on projects that enhance sustainability, address the water cycle, improve destination facilities, provide worker training, and support sport and culture. This declaration, made at the ITB tourism fair, marks a departure from previous practices by insisting on the tangible, immediate execution of projects, rather than merely presenting ideas or “power points.” The initiative aims to channel the €350 million collected from the tax into five specific areas, with sustainability and circularity being the primary focus. This shift intends to visibly demonstrate to tourists how their tax contributions are being utilized to enhance the tourism experience and environmental stewardship, moving away from expenditures on housing or concerts unrelated to tourism improvement. Despite inquiries about keeping tax revenues local, Prohens highlighted the tax’s purposeful nature, suggesting an equitable, albeit not island-specific, distribution, while noting the influence of Vice-President Toni Costa, an Ibicenco, in the decision-making process. The announcement also included plans to reallocate €74 million from projects not aligning with these priorities, ensuring that future investments directly contribute to the quality and sustainability of tourism in the Balearic Islands.
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