Menorca wants to launch a sustainable tourism plan.
What Biosphere Reserve since 1993 , Menorca has a commitment to the environment. For many years, the island has had some of the best preserved habitats in the Mediterranean, and the Balearic government and its citizens who work to preserve them are aware of this. For this reason, this year a tourism sustainability plan which will be launched in the coming years and which has recently been approved by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
in June of this year 154 projects from 14 Autonomous Communities were presented to a national call valued at 58.8 million euros in tourism sustainability plans.
‘Menorca Biosphere Reserve-Tourism 0CO2’ was one of the 25 projects selected, and acquires even more value if one takes into account that of the 25 approved, 18 belonged to rural and inland destinations, with the Balearic island achieving one of the other 7 awarded, according to the Ministry, "to destinations pioneers, mature, with an urban and environmental overload generated by the large influx of tourists received in recent decades and that they need to renew their offer in order not to lose competitiveness and to improve the perception that residents have of the urban development of their destination. The investment, in these cases, will focus on the reconversion of its tourism model towards an intelligent and sustainable one”.
The Sustainability Plan has a budget of almost three million euros.
This national program tries to promote and improve tourist destinations in order to increase sustainability . In the case of Menorca, the island will have a provision of 2,985,000 euros to develop your plan , structured into three large thematic blocks (land, sea and sky) and four other transversal blocks such as environmental certification, technology, training and promotion.
And what will each of them consist of? The objective of this plan is to create a network of land routes with its own identity whose starting point is the Camí de Cavalls . A fundamental aspect will be the connection of this network with the rural environment and the creation of viewpoints and points of interest , as well as refreshment and rest areas. Also, establish a network of maritime routes, both to practice water sports and to publicize the natural and cultural wealth. Actions are planned in the 'Illa Plana', of 1 hectare, located in the port of Maó, in front of Es Castell.
also give recognition of Menorca as a Starlight Tourist Reserve and Destination , for the light quality of its sky, and the construction of Starlight stellar viewpoints within the network of land routes is contemplated.
On the other hand, the Sustainability Plan also wants to accredit the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism and position the island of Menorca with international certification Green Destinations ; in addition to creating a technological innovation project*** Smart Island***, installing solar Wi-Fi points and a specific mobile application that provides information to the visitor (interactive maps, points of interest, sale of local products, artisan workshops, etc.) .
And finally, training entrepreneurs and workers in the tourism sector in the interpretation of the environment and sustainability.