Formentera insists changes key to making tourism management competences equitable for four islands

foto 2021 promo turisticaAThe Vice President and Councillor of Tourism Management and Promotion, Alejandra Ferrer, participated today in the first presentation of the Mixed Devolution Committee regarding conferral of authority on tourism management to the Consell de Mallorca. Attendees of the gathering heard the definitive terms of the authority transfer, which took place because Mallorca was the only one of the four islands without authority in the realm of tourism management.

Ferrer pointed out that when the committee first convened, Formentera backed creation of a research unit to re-evaluate previous competence transfers and ensure they were equitable. "We're asking for an expansion of competences and funding", said Ferrer, "and we're asking that the provision of civil servants, software and hardware set to benefit the Consell de Mallorca be effective for Formentera as well". Ferrer called the review "necessary upkeep", and stressed that a considerable amount of time had passed since past power transfers had taken place: 24 years in the case of the Consell d'Eivissa i Formentera and 13 years for the Consell de Formentera.

In consequence, Ferrer abstained from the vote and reiterated her plea for a joint assessment of the competence hand-off agreed with the other islands, as happened with the hand-off of tourism promotion powers to the governments of Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera. The terms of that deal came under review and were revised based on the transfer package which had been offered to Eivissa two years earlier.

"In short", concluded Ferrer, "we want to account for the allocation of more than 60 workers, as well as financial and technological resources, and to review the needs of the other island governments so that this distribution is equal, fair and on par with current needs".

25 October 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera