The "Sustainable Destinations Summit. Leading the Transformation", organized by the Consell de Mallorca in coordination with the World Tourism Organization, has come to an end after two days and six sessions with papers and presentations by key players in the tourism sector, public representatives, academics and promoters of measures that are contributing to sustainable tourism worldwide.
The closing ceremony was held today at noon, with the presence of the president of the Consell de Mallorca, Catalina Cladera, and the interventions of the president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol; the first vice president of the Spanish Government and Minister of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño, and Isabel Oliver, representing the UNWTO. The closing ceremony was also attended by the President of the Parliament, Vicenç Thomàs; the Mayor of Palma, José Hila; the Government Delegate in the Balearic Islands, Aina Calvo; the Minister of Economic Model, Tourism and Employment, Iago Negueruela, and the Minister of Transition, Tourism and Sports of the Consell, Andreu Serra.
"We are not satisfied with being the world center of sustainable tourism during these two days and that is why we have already proposed to the World Tourism Organization that in two years we return to reissue, another time in Mallorca, this global meeting of sustainable destinations" said President Cladera, who has been satisfied that the island has hosted for the first time a summit of this kind and thanked the WTO for the recognition that implies having the endorsement and collaboration of the highest international body in tourism and sustainability.
The first vice-president, Nadia Calviño, stressed that "there is a basis for making public investments now and that we are working collaboratively with the private sector to modernise a sector as important for Spain as the tourism sector, and to continue to position our country as one of the leaders". In his speech, he highlighted the fact that the Spanish tourism sector is very competitive and powerful in terms of growth and job creation, and is also an example at a global level in terms of sustainability, circular economy and modernity.
During her speech, President Armengol stressed that the new Tourism Law being processed by the Parliament of the Balearic Islands takes a three-pronged approach to sustainability: economic, "because competitiveness is necessary for our companies"; social, with measures to "take better care of our workers", and environmental, as "we have to preserve our natural resources and be more energy efficient". In this sense, he said that the new regulation has been drawn up with "a vision for the future" and must help us to "continue to be leaders".
The summit "Leading the transformation" was held at the Palau de Congressos de Palma and could be followed both in person and online. In total, there were more than 350 participants from all over the world, including speakers and attendees.
The topics on which the summit has been structured are aligned with the Glasgow agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, the UNWTO Action Plan and the tourism strategy of the Consell de Mallorca and the Fundació Mallorca Turisme. Thus, the contents have been distributed in four main thematic axes: water, waste, circular economy and data analysis for sustainable decision making.
During these days, Mallorca has demonstrated that it is a leading destination in Europe, and that it is working to face new challenges through innovation and under the essential premise of sustainable development driven by each and every one of the elements of the tourism value chain. Over the last few years, the island has worked hard to position itself in key international spaces, fundamental for making decisions consistent with the objectives of sustainability. This has led to its entry as an affiliate member of the UNWTO, its integration into the network of UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories, as well as the awarding of the UNWTO.Quest distinction, among other actions.
The celebration of this summit on the island is also an example of recognition by the UNWTO of the work done by Mallorca to become a sustainable destination of reference.
Speakers and programme
If yesterday we talked about water management, waste management, circular economy and data analysis, today it was the turn of the Panel discussion on Human Development, with the participation of Catalina Alemany (CSR manager of Riu Hotels), Lola Herrero (professor and director of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute, of ESCP Europe), José Mañas (founder of Wireless DNA), Estelle Antognelli (director of Tourism and Congresses, Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority), Manuel Butler (director of OTS in London) and Juanma Martínez (director of projects and sustainability culture at Green&Huma). The presentations were moderated by Jimmy Pons (Roundcubers.com).
The Minister of Economic Model, Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Iago Negueruela, participated in the forum with the presentation "Social circularity and other axes of the Balearic tourism model".
Finally, the Councillor of Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, the president of Fehm, Maria Frontera, Mark Tanzer, executive director of ABTA, and Norbert Fiebig, president of DRV, presented the conclusions of the conference in a debate moderated by Michael Collins, director of TravelMedia.ie.
Source: Consell de Mallorca
