News

Formentera, fitness destination

Friday, 25 January 2019 14:50

foto aferrer 2018 fitur 1 Tourism councillor Alejandra Ferrer stood before representatives of trade media outlets today midday at Madrid's International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) to talk about Formentera's qualities as a destination for sport. The gathering was part of the Formentera Council's promotional efforts at the country's leading travel expo, which continues until Sunday.

The moment served to spotlight the island's 2019 calendar of sporting events, not to mention spread the gospel about what Ferrer called “the backdrop of nature, scenery, culture and gastronomy awaiting athletes of all sorts who opt to make their fitness pursuits the opportunity for a visit to the island”.

Ferrer underscored sporting events like the half-marathon (Mitja Marató), Formentera All Round Trail, Formentera to Run, Marnaton, mountain bikers' Volta a Formentera and the island's triathlon. She said recent years have seen Formentera become a destination for fitness aficionados and highlighted “the stress event organisers place on protecting the environment and using natural resources without depleting them, one reason local gatherings always have a cap on attendance”.

Travel discounts
The Council spokeswoman also presented, together with the fitness event organisers of Unisport Consulting and transport company Trasmediterránea, a deal to improve travel options to the island for individuals coming from mainland Spain and Palma to join events like the half-marathon, the Volta and the triathlon.

To that end, Trasmediterránea offers athletes discounted tickets on journeys to the islands from Palma, Barcelona, Valencia and Gandia. Athletes can also bring their gear (bicycle included) for free.

The councillor hailed the deal, which she said was about “making it easier for sports lovers to get to the island and to get here with their own equipment, too”. Ferrer also drew attention to the discounts and bonuses that local businesses offer as part of the “Discover Formentera” pushes in May and October.

Formentera launches info push for metred parking system

Friday, 25 January 2019 13:26

foto 15m parquin regulat The Formentera Council's mobility department is rolling out a campaign to educate islanders about the"regulated" or metred parking service that has been activated in the largest towns across Formentera in recent years.

Department head Rafael González said the information push sought to “clear up the questions concerning use of blue and green zone parking spaces, not just for islanders, but for visiting tourists as well”.

15 minutes for business
One of the campaign's chief messages has to do with the 15-minute spots incorporated into blue zone areas when Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran were prepped for the metred parking system. Anyone —both residents and visitors— can park free for up to 15 minutes; they just need to obtain a ticket.

The 15-minute parking areas have been placed strategically around the two towns and were created in response to requests by local business owners keen to encourage frequent rotation of vehicles. González said the move was about “giving drivers 15 minutes to do their shopping and making it easier to patronise local commerce”.

Information brochures
Informational material has been printed to get motorists up to speed about the ins and outs —and timetables— of the metred parking system and tackle the major questions. Metre maids will be charged with handing out the two thousand tracts among drivers who park in blue-zone spots, shop personnel and individuals driving rented vehicles.

An informative poster has also been put together to spotlight the campaign's central “15 minutes for business” message and will be affixed to bus stops and other eye-catching areas. The zonablava.com website has also been created as a one-stop shop for information. A video is also expected before summer to reach out to tourists.

The mobility chief thanked islanders for doing their best to use the blue zone correctly and framed such efforts as key to the parking improvements seen on Formentera in recent years.

Chamber of commerce offers 13 courses covering languages, tech, staffing and more

Thursday, 24 January 2019 13:13

foto-cursos-cambra-comerc---31 Formentera's chamber of commerce has announced that from February to April it will host 13 courses with support from the Formentera Council, which will pick up a quarter of the cost as per the terms of a €7,000 partnership deal.

The catalogue runs the gamut from Italian classes to training in everything from new tech, taxes, accounting, leadership, staff selection, hotel management and workplace risk reduction.

Tourism and trade councillor Alejandra Ferrer praised the heads of the chamber for their efforts putting together the programming, which she called “crucial to filling out our selection of continuing education opportunities in the winter”.

For more information and to sign up, contact the Cambra de Comerç in Sant Francesc (avinguda 8 d'Agost, 6) or call 971 322 061.

Open call for organisers of 17th Festa Intercultural

Thursday, 24 January 2019 15:49

foto-festa-intercultura-20181 The Formentera Council's social welfare office has scheduled a public meeting to organise the island's 17th Festival Intercultural for 8.00pm on Wednesday January 30 in the Casal d'Entitats.

Department chief Vanessa Parellada encouraged islanders to come take part in what she called “an idea sharing session where all are welcome. It doesn't matter if you are a member of a specific association or not; what we want is for people to share the unique qualities about their origins”.

The gathering will serve to establish a working group to get organisation of the April festival off the ground. Last year roughly twenty countries and Spanish regions were represented in the event and, said Parellada, “showcased their gastronomic and cultural heritage—and that, in turn, amounts to the whole island's heritage”.

For more information visit the social welfare office (àrea de Benestar Social) or telephone 971 321 271.

Gastronomy, heritage sites and nature stars of Formentera's show at FITUR

Wednesday, 23 January 2019 13:11

foto-fitur-2019 CiF president Jaume Ferrer, tourism councillor Alejandra Ferrer and chief of tourism promotions Carlos Bernús attended the opening event today of Madrid's International Tourism Trade Fair, or FITUR, which runs Wednesday to Sunday (January 23-27).

In a dedicated section within the Balearic Islands' stand at the fair, Formentera will share promotional material related to gastronomy, local heritage and natural spaces, making special mention of “all Formentera has to offer after the rush of the high season”.

New features
Councillor Ferrer will meet with representatives of niche media outlets tomorrow to present some of the pioneering features of Formentera's 2019 effort to attract visitors. Among them is a brand-new tourism website and Formentera 365, an app Ferrer said is aimed at “promoting the local businesses that open more winter months”.

Formentera will also talk to the journalists about a new book on homespun gastronomy called “Sabors de Formentera. Receptes tradicionals d'una illa singular” and trailblazing plans for guided tours on local heritage sites and birdwatching in 2019.

As ever, Formentera's representatives at the fair will talk about nature trails and unveil the 2019 calendar of cultural and sporting events, not to mention dedicate air time to the “Discover Formentera” campaigns of May and October. Another presentation on Friday January 25 will focus exclusively on activities for fans of fitness.

“It will all be tied in”, explained Ferrer, “to Formentera's eternal message for tourists about the importance of striking a balance between tourism and local environmental sustainability”.