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Unió de Pagesos, the Association for Organic Agricultural Production (APAEM), and GOB have recently written to the President of the Island Council of Menorca, urging them not to allow tourist rentals on rural land.

Local media has reported that the current island government is considering introducing tourist rentals in rural areas as part of planned modifications to the Island Territorial Plan. However, the three organizations signing the letter believe this change could incentivize the displacement of farmers from their agricultural holdings.

Menorca already offers three types of rural tourist accommodation: rural hotels, agritourism, and agro-lodges. All three models require an active agricultural operation, and in the case of agro-lodges, farmers must also be registered as residents in the same house.

The signing organizations argue that the demand for rural tourist accommodation is already sufficiently met with these options. Therefore, they question the need to introduce yet another category that could negatively impact the agricultural sector. Renting farm buildings to tourists may be more profitable in the short term, but it poses a significant risk of forcing non-landowning farmers out of their homes.

Menorca’s rural landscape is one of the island’s main attractions. However, it relies heavily on the farmers who manage it. Supporting sustainable agriculture is a far more strategic choice than allowing a new form of accommodation that could threaten it.

For these reasons, the organizations urge the Island Council not to authorize tourist rentals on rural land.

Unió de Pagesos, APAEM & GOB.