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 presentations and talks by key agents in the tourism sector, public representatives, academics and promoters of measures that are contributing to tourism sustainability throughout the world.

The closing ceremony was held today at noon, with the presence of the president of the Consell de Mallorca, Catalina Cladera, and speeches by 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 Council, Andreu Serra.

"We are not satisfied with being the world centre of sustainable tourism for these two days and that is why we have already proposed to the World Tourism Organisation that in two years we will once again hold, once again in Mallorca, this world meeting of sustainable destinations" said President Cladera, who was pleased that the island had hosted a summit of this nature for the first time and thanked the UNWTO for the recognition that comes with having the endorsement and collaboration of the highest international organisation in matters of tourism and sustainability.

The First Vice President, Nadia Calviño, stressed that "it is justified to make 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 her speech, she highlighted that the Spanish tourism sector is very competitive and powerful in terms of growth and job creation and, in addition, it is 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 that is being processed by the Parliament of the Balearic Islands focuses on sustainability from a triple perspective: economic, "because competitiveness is necessary for our companies"; social, with measures to "take better care of our workers"; and environmental, since "we have to preserve our natural resources and be more energy efficient." In this sense, she said that the new law has been drawn up with a "vision for the future" and must serve us to "continue to be leaders."

The “Leading the transformation” summit was held at the Palau de Congressos in 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 was 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 content has been distributed into four main thematic axes: water, waste, circular economy and data analysis for sustainable decision-making.

During these days, Mallorca has proven to be a leading destination in Europe, working to face new challenges through innovation and under the essential premise of sustainable development driven by each and every element of the tourism value chain. Over the last few years, the island has worked hard to position itself in key international spaces, essential for decision-making consistent with sustainability objectives. This is why in recent years it has become an affiliate member of the UNWTO, its integration into the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatory network, as well as obtaining the UNWTO.Quest distinction, among other actions.

The holding of this summit on the island is also an example of recognition by the UNWTO of the work done in Mallorca to become a benchmark sustainable destination.

Speakers and programme

If yesterday we talked about water management, waste management, circular economy and data analysis, today it was the turn of the round table on Human Development, with the participation of Catalina Alemany (CSR manager at Riu Hotels), Lola Herrero (professor and director of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute, ESCP Europe), José Mañas (founder of Wireless DNA), Estelle Antognelli (director of Tourism and Congresses, Monaco Tourism and Convention Authority), Manuel Butler (director of the OET 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 Work of the Balearic Government, Iago Negueruela, participated in the forum with the presentation "Social circularity and other axes of the Balearic tourism model".

Finally, the Minister of Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, the president of the Fehm, Maria Frontera, Mark Tanzer, executive director of ABTA, and Norbert Fiebig, president of DRV, have made the conclusions of the sessions in a debate moderated by Michael Collins, director of TravelMedia.ie.

Source: Consell de Mallorca