The Consell de Mallorca, in partnership with the World Tourism Organisation, hosts the "Summit of Sustainable Destinations: Leading the Transformation". The conference will take place between 07 and 08 April at the Palau de Congressos in Palma, with the aim of creating an environment for exchanging knowledge and best practice of environmental, social and economic sustainability across the world. Majorca has invited key figures in the tourism sector, including journalists and academics, to discuss how to create real change, establish relationships and lead coordinated transformation for a more sustainable industry. You can watch online: https://mallorcasustainablesummit.com/
Program & Speakers
The summit can be attended in person or online by registering here. Over two days, the program will focus on issues aligned with the Glasgow agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UNWTO Action Plan. This summit is part of Majorca’s sustainability strategy and will explore four key areas: water, waste, the circular economy, human development and data analysis for sustainable decision making.
Experts have been invited to present at the summit, including academics, prominent business leaders and association directors, in a series of panels and round table discussions. These include top-level speakers such as Jaume Mata, Head of Tourism Sustainability for Visit Valencia; Dirk Glaesser, Director of the Sustainable Development Programme of the UNWTO; Enrique Martínez, President of Segittur; Sandra Benbeniste Millán, Sustainability Director for EMEA Iberostar Hotels; Catalina Alemany, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility for Riu Hotels; and Stefan Gössling, Professor at Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics, who will share their knowledge and findings (see note to editors).
The summit’s conclusions will be formulated in a round table session moderated by Andreu Serra, Minister of Transition, Tourism and Sports for Majorca. Mark Tanzer, Executive Director of ABTA; Norbert Fiebig, President of the German Travel Association; and María Frontera, President of the Hotel Federation of Mallorca (FEHM) will be on the panel.
For a full program of speakers visit mallorcasustainablesummit.com/en/ponentes/
On 08 April at the Palau de Congresos de Palma from 9 am to 9 pm, Majorca will take part in a “Hackathon” with the SDS Hackathon organisation. The event will challenge professionals, researchers and students with an interest and commitment to the island’s sustainability to create innovative solutions to problems. These are related to the tourism industry in regard to topics such as water control, mobility and the food sector. The teams will stand to win a total of €15,000 in prizes.
More information and registration: https://mallorcasustainablesummit.com/
Majorca, a pioneering destination in Europe, wants to continue to be a leader in the tourism industry by showing its ability to face new challenges through innovation, and by following the principles of sustainable development driven by each and every element of the tourism sector.
Over the past years, the island has worked hard to position itself in key international forums that are fundamental to ensure decision-making is consistent with sustainable objectives. The destination as an affiliate member of the UNWTO has integrated into the network of UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories and been awarded the UNWTO Quest certificate.
SPEAKERS:
Aniol Esteban, Director of the Marilles Foundation; Jaume Mata, Head of Tourism Sustainability for Visit Valencia, Spain and Stefan Gössling, Professor at Linnaeus University, School of Business and Economics will speak about water management.
Sandra Benbeniste Millán, Sustainability Director for EMEA Iberostar Hotels; Nina Bellucci Butler, CEO of Stina; Antonio Pérez, Mayor of Benidorm and Miguel Ángel González San Román will discuss waste management.
Confirmed speakers on the Circular Economy aare; José María de Juan Alonso, CEO of Koan Consulting; Enrique Martínez, President of Segittur; Antoni Riera, Technical Director of the Impulsa Foundation and Jaime Ordinas, Controller of Garden Hotels.
Data Analysis for Decision Making in Tourism Sustainability Initiatives will consist of a round table session moderated by Dolores Ordóñez, General Director at AnySolution. Dirk Glaesser, Director of the Sustainable Development Programme of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO); Luis Javier Gadea Lucas, Director of Tourism Research Development and Innovation for Segittur; José Javier Ramasco, CSIC Researcher at IFISC and Sergio Guerreiro, Director, Knowledge Management and Innovation will all take part in the discussion.
The human development round table will be moderated by Alessandra Priante, Regional Director in Europe of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). On the panel are Catalina Alemany, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility for Riu Hotels; Lola Herrero, Associate Professor and Director of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute ESCP Europe and José Mañas, CEO and co-founder of Wireless DNA.
I hope sustainable tourism in Mallorca also includes a ban on helicopter tours over and around the island