14 December 2023
Make your Mallorca pledge to travel responsibly
Mallorca is an island blessed with natural beauty and here’s how you can help protect its nature and local culture when you visit...
Mallorca is an island blessed with natural beauty and here’s how you can help protect its nature and local culture when you visit...
To ensure its natural beauty and captivating culture is safeguarded for future generations, the Mallorca Tourist Board has declared its new Responsible Tourism Pledge to help inform visitors how they can enjoy, experience and preserve the island's nature, values and beauty. It also aims to encourage both visitors and residents to treat the island as their home, just as it should be...
From mountains to clear turquoise waters, to wild olive and pine trees, sea lilies, craggy coastal cliffs and fine white sands and hidden coves, there is something in Mallorca for everyone. Wherever you choose, ensure you show respect for people, nature and the landscape on this charismatic archipelago. For example, don't litter and if you do see litter lying around that's not yours, lend a hand by picking it up. If visitors respect the people and the land, the people and the land will respect them, and it will continue to be one of the safest places to live and visit.
Regarded as an island with unique idiosyncrasies, historical heritage and cultural richness, Mallorca maintains its reputation as one of the best destinations in the Mediterranean for all kinds of adventures. But it's important to make sure these landscapes are kept pristine, so ensure you stick to marked hiking trails, avoid treading on the delicate biodiversity and don't disturb the local wildlife. Responsible tourism should start from the basics. Incredible beaches such as Calo Des Marmols, with its pale blue waters so clear they’re almost transparent and sand that is whiter than white, are unheard of by most visitors and therein lies their true beauty: its remote location deep within a bay and pristine nature thanks to seldom few visitors. And by encouraging respect for nature and the landscape, its idyllic longevity will be preserved.
As the diamond of the Balearic Islands, it boasts classic charm and cosmopolitan flair highlighted in UNESCO-protected hills, crystal-clear coves, rural wine estates, local cuisine and wellness pop ups, which resonate with locals and visitors alike. To reduce your own footprint, be mindful of both your water and energy usage and opt for walking, cycling or hopping on public transport wherever possible.
The quaint village of Deia sits between Soller and Valldemossa and is surrounded by idyllic mountain scenery. The clear green-blue waters on the rocky beach invite you in for a cooling dip, while the charming stone fishing huts set the scene for a truly picturesque setting and is a great spot for immersing yourself in daily life. Beloved by the island’s artists and creatives, Ca’s Patro March is a rustic waterfront setting that invites you to live like a local, buy local and embrace the local culture. And this philosophy is exactly what Mallorca's Responsible Tourism Pledge is trying to embody: where possible, look to shop artisan products, locally sourced food and crafts so the island's communities can thrive.
Head off the beaten track and visit smaller towns such as Calo des Moro, which is flanked by rocky cliffs and pine trees; this unspoiled protected cove is a perfect example of the best of Mallorca. As one of many areas of preservation, you can enjoy abundant sea life, soft white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters. But while you're exploring, refrain from interacting with marine life or touching the delicate coral that exists here. If you're snorkelling or diving, you can still appreciate the beauty of Mallorca's seagrass meadows and marine life from a safe distance without disturbing it and while
Join in Mallorca's mission to reduce plastic consumption and carry a reusable water bottle when you're exploring the island. Use the many rubbish bins and, if there isn't one near, carry anything with you that needs disposing until you find one. It may seem a simple thing to do but it all helps to contribute towards preserving Mallorca's wild environment, as well as the wider planet.
The local people and their culture are a big reason why we all travel and in Mallorca it's no different. Visit the island's small towns like Sanatyi, which hosts an art and music festival between May and September every year. But when you're in these communities, it's important to show respect to their established culture and norms and treat them like you would with your own friends at home.
If you're prepared to truly explore Mallorca you’ll find an abundance of hidden gems, from epic mountain trails and national parks to postcard-pretty villages and untouched beaches, which should be respected by both guests and locals. Then, when you return, you can both share the word about Mallorca's beauty and explain how crucial it is to help protect its diverse landscapes, wildlife and culture. To really show your commitment, sign Mallorca's Responsible Tourism Pledge today.
To find out more about Mallorca's Responsible Tourism Pledge and to sign it, visit the tourist board's official website.
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