Tag Archives: Politics

New Protest Against Tourism Overcrowding in Menorca  — Manifesto

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Less Fitur, More Future

This slogan resonated last Saturday at Plaza Conquesta in Maó, the scene of a new protest from the Via Menorca campaign. This time, the focus was on the economic inconsistency represented by the rampant tourism overcrowding in the Balearic Islands. Hundreds of participants formed a large human graph illustrating two alarming trends: the unchecked rise in tourist numbers and the continuous drop in per capita income compared to other Spanish regions.

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A shameful new law against our Land

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The agreement reached between PSIB, Més per Mallorca, and Més per Menorca with the PP bans the construction of new projects in flood-prone areas but continues to allow amnesty for illegal houses and activities on rural land without requiring compliance with the minimum standards of spatial planning regulations.

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The GOB withdraws from the Sustainability Pact due to the Government’s regressive policies

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Rewarding illegal construction in rural areas or allowing building in high-risk zones represents a major setback in land-use policies. Such measures undermine the critical discussions needed to decide the Balearic Islands’ development model.

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9 extra pools at another rural tourism establishment in Alaior

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Views: 124

Another case has been confirmed involving a rural tourism establishment that, in this instance, has built nine additional pools not included in its approved project. Similar to the well-known Torre Vella case, the authorization had been previously reviewed by the Environmental Commission.

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Inopportunity cost

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When faced with several options, we often weigh the pros and cons of each. That is, we consider what we gain by choosing a certain option versus what we lose by rejecting another. Economists call this the opportunity cost.

Sometimes, this calculation is simple and obvious. But other times, it involves more complex factors—like when short-term benefits contradict long-term consequences or when personal gains come at the expense of others or the environment.

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Illegal and recurrent tourist rentals

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A case of illegal and recurrent tourist rental activity on rural land raises doubts about the effectiveness of current penalties for unauthorized activities of this kind.

This example highlights the need to reflect on the issue of excessive tourism pressure in Menorca. It is becoming clear that strengthening inspections alone will not suffice if the penalties imposed are not significant enough to deter offenders.
More rentals mean more tourism congestion

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The government proposes further unacceptable environmental rollbacks

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It seems like the Balearic Government is obsessed with rewarding environmental offenders. The draft law up for discussion in Parliament tomorrow includes new and alarming environmental rollbacks.

Some of the proposed changes from PP-Vox include putting the definition of “general interest” into the hands of each Island Council, making it easier to renovate buildings outside of zoning regulations, and allowing building violations on rural land to be left unpunished after a certain period.

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