The Consell de Mallorca, through the Fundació Mallorca Turisme, has hosted the Nit del Turisme 2022, an event in which the Tourism Awards given by the Government of the Balearic Islands are presented. These awards are intended to recognize actions in favor of tourism in different aspects: individuals, companies and institutions, both public and private. Likewise, these awards are intended to serve as an instrument to stimulate professional behavior and initiatives that contribute to improving the tourist image of the Balearic Islands and its tourist services.
The event, held on Tuesday, September 27, coinciding with World Tourism Day, brought together 200 guests in one of the most emblematic buildings of the city of Palma and headquarters of the island's Tourism Department: La Misericordia. The president of the Consell de Mallorca, Catalina Cladera was in charge of opening the gala with a few words in which she stressed the importance of consolidating the island as a truly sustainable destination. "The theme of Tourism Day 2022 is Rethinking tourism. A very timely reflection that has to allow us to go further. We have to make a transition towards a model that protects natural and heritage resources even more. A model that accelerates the transition of the sector towards an activity without CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency and circular economy in companies and destinations. We have to continue driving the digital transformation of the sector and its companies. And we need to continue to promote a fairer distribution of the benefits of tourism for companies and workers, protecting work-life balance and prioritizing gender equality. In short, it is essential that we take a more decisive step in researching quality over volume," Cladera stressed.
In charge of closing the event was the president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, who stated that tourism should focus on sustainability and circularity policies, "increase the quality of tourist establishments with water saving measures, stop depending on global markets to put on the tables the best product of the Balearic Islands". Armengol also conveyed the "firm commitment" of the Government of the Balearic Islands with the tourism sector, by investing its own resources, state and European Union to be "stronger and more solid".
The event was also attended by the Councilor of Transition, Tourism and Sports of the Consell de Mallorca, Andreu Serra; the President of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, Vicenç Thomàs; the Councilor of Economic Model, Tourism and Labor of the Government, Iago Negueruela; the Councilor of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government, Mae de la Concha; the Councilor of Presidency, Public Function and Equality of the Government, Mercedes Garrido; and the Councilor of Mobility and Housing of the Government, Josep Marí.
Honorees
Designer K of Kose Kose won the award for tourism innovation. The best social responsibility initiative went to Villa Le Blanc, Menorca's first carbon neutral hotel. The Fem que circuli project, by Fundació Deixalles, won the award for best practices in tourism occupancy. And in terms of equality, the award went to Espardenyes Torres for promoting women's employment by making a 100% handmade product such as the "espardenyes" Ibicencan "espardenyes".
Nit del Turisme Award Winners
There were two awards for workers in the tourism sector: one for Manuel García Arenas, CCOO legal representative of the staff of the Hotel Meliá Palma Marina, for his work in improving working conditions; and the other award in this category went to Cecilia Brizuela Mosquera, president of the works council of the Hotel Gran Meliá Victoria as a reference in trade union action.
Another double award was in the category for the best circular tourism initiative. On the one hand, the Iberostar Group with the project "Agenda 2030: Iberostar's transition to a circular economy" and on the other, Cas Majoral, which is committed to KM0 farming and the use of waste.
In the category for work, effort and professional dedication in tourism, the awards went to the Erhart family of Universal Beach Hotels and to Juan Riera Ripoll of Ca n'Alfredo.
Illa dels Trails Menorca won the award for the tourist experience with 5 trail races that follow the route of the Camí de Cavalls de Menorca providing a great tourist attraction for the island.
As ambassador of the Balearic Islands, the award went to the president and owner of the Arabella Group, Alexandra Schorghuber. The cyclist and athlete Mavi García has also been recognized.
