Tag Archives: Tourism

Moon of hope

Views: 10

They say that the January sky is among the clearest of the year. The moon can also be easily seen during the day. “Blanqueja com s’ametler, com ve que n’està florit, que blanqueja dia i nit, com sa lluna de gener”  [It whitens like the almond tree, as if it were in bloom, whitening day and night, like the January moon] – says the popular rhyme.

In reality, the moon is always there above us, large enough to reflect the light of the star, but clouds, dust or other elements interfere and make it harder to see once the sun has risen.

Continue reading Moon of hope →

Hegemony of simulation

Views: 11

The fish moves gently from side to side. It looks like a small fish or a larva, slowly drifting with undulating movements. Many eyes watch it with interest. But in this world, not everything is what it seems, and reality can change as quickly as a spasm.

When discourses are repeatedly adorned with references to economic dynamisation, progress, security… even freedom or sustainability, one must be careful not to fall into a trap similar to the one used by the anglerfish to feed.

Continue reading Hegemony of simulation →

The European Opinion and the paradox of the Balearic Islands as a benchmark for sustainable tourism

Views: 91

The Balearic Islands are territories heavily strained by tourist saturation. Menorca, which had been the island most shielded from this dynamic, has again broken records in the number of annual tourists (exceeding 1.7 million). Meanwhile, public money continues to be invested in tourism promotion, and there is no news of any limitation on tourist vehicles for the coming summer.

Continue reading The European Opinion and the paradox of the Balearic Islands as a benchmark for sustainable tourism →

Menorca, our Alhambra

Views: 61

It has calculated the space well. It must be enough for its needs, but not excessively large so it cannot cope with the work. It will first make the spokes that radiate from the centre of the imagined circumference, and then join them with increasingly closer segments.

It has the wax in liquid form inside its abdomen and will extract it so that, when in contact with the air, it becomes an elastic, sticky and resistant material. It will build a barely visible mesh to trap insects.

But it cannot make mistakes with the dimensions. If the covered area is too small, it risks not catching enough food. If the area of the web exceeds the measurements, the spider may run out of material, weaken and die. Having the right measure is key.

Continue reading Menorca, our Alhambra →

Platges de Fornells, no water for more villas and hotels

Views: 104

In the development of Platges de Fornells, procedures have begun to allow the construction of 116 villas and 297 hotel beds. During the environmental assessment phase, GOB has written to the Balearic Government to warn that there is no water available in the aquifer.

This development in the north of Menorca started its procedures in 1969, when it was declared a National Tourism Interest Centre by the Francoist Ministry of Tourism. Construction began in the 1980s, and the Island Territorial Plan of 2003 redefined its configuration, as happened with many other planned tourist growths.

Continue reading Platges de Fornells, no water for more villas and hotels →

Via Menorca denounces environmental misconduct threatening aquifers

Views: 87

With the recently created Hiking Group for the Detection of Territorial Messes (GEDET for short, in Catalan), the new Via Menorca campaign has started today with the first of the excursions planned for this winter.

Around 200 people set out to walk a route of contrasts. The preservation of the first kilometers along the Camí de Cavalls has clashed with the detection of three unprecedented damages, located in three agrotourism establishments close to each other, in the municipality of Alaior.

Continue reading Via Menorca denounces environmental misconduct threatening aquifers →

Gratitude and recognition for Cala en Busquets

Views: 176

The organisations promoting the Platform in Defence of Cala en Busquets wish to express our gratitude for the support received in recent weeks, both from individuals and from other organisations that have encouraged us to raise our voices publicly against the dry marina project.

Continue reading Gratitude and recognition for Cala en Busquets →

A dangerous agrarian law for farmers

Views: 156

The draft Agrarian Law recently published by the Balearic Government could turn against farmers. Promoting economic activities that displace agriculture or removing environmental safeguards that protect soil fertility is not helping farmers—it is using them as an excuse to legislate in favour of other sectors. GOB has submitted objections.

Continue reading A dangerous agrarian law for farmers →

Housing and tourist pressure, two related problems

Views: 276

Access to housing has become a problem in recent years in Menorca. Addressing this important social challenge is an increasingly urgent need, and data and reflection are required to take steps in the right direction.

In this note, based on official data, some of the variables most closely related to the situation are analyzed.

Continue reading Housing and tourist pressure, two related problems →

GOB calls for transparency in the Territorial Plan

Views: 453

Last week, a round table on the Island Territorial Plan was held at the Ateneu de Maó. The two rooms of the venue were filled. The event was recorded, and the session has already exceeded a thousand views.

These figures show the great public interest generated by the attempt to make a punctual modification of this instrument, which is one of the main foundations of Menorca’s distinctive model.

Continue reading GOB calls for transparency in the Territorial Plan →