The Throwback: Tourism law would be like the '60s

Back in the 1960s and 1970s, permissiveness, a lack of control and a general disregard for the environment led to tourism-resort developments of the sort that survive today. The Balearic Government's proposed new tourism law, though it envisages resort modernisation, might well fall into the same trap that existed several decades ago. For Mallorca, condemned by some for being "over-constructed", the perception of over-construction could become stronger.

Any number of organisations have been having their say as to the law's proposals, and there is one that perhaps demands being listened to more than others.

Of groups criticised for the excesses of the days of the tourism construction boom, architects had to shoulder some of the blame. Caught up in the permissiveness of a lack of building regulation, architects, like public bodies, hoteliers and others, took the chance of making some good earners and often did so with the same disregard as everyone else. That they are now voicing their concerns about the new law reflects a responsibility that was absent then, even if it means not cashing in to the extent that they might do.

The Official College of Architects in the Balearics (COAIB) believes that the law amounts to a virtual de-regulation of planning, one that will throw Mallorca and the islands back to the sixties and one in favour of one sector of the tourism industry alone - the hotels. And in favouring hotels, the law discriminates against other parts of local society, business and private, which are subject to rigorous planning and environmental procedures and laws. The College has gone so far as to suggest that the new permissiveness would not respect the legal system.

In voicing its criticisms, the College is casting itself in a role of upholder of social responsibility. These criticisms do have extra weight because, though architects clearly stand to benefit from developments, the College doesn't have quite the same self-interest as some other opponents when it comes to the law's proposals. It is placing a professional interest of guardianship above a remunerative one.

As tourism minister Carlos Delgado has alluded to facilitating a relaxation of environmental procedures, it might be interesting were we to hear the views of his governmental colleague in the environment ministry, Gabriel Company. He has, however, maintained his silence.

Company is different to other members of the regional government as he is not a career politician. He was brought into the government as an independent, his background in the agriculture industry making him a good appointment to oversee growth in this sector. But what about other parts of his portfolio?

An independent might, you would think, express an independent point of view. Perhaps he has one, but we don't know. Or perhaps he is in full agreement with Delgado. Either way, the appointment of an independent, while wise in introducing business knowledge for a specific sector to the government, might mean a less strident voice in respect of other sectors, especially when the appointment owes pretty much everything to the government's president who, as has been widely suggested, is heavily influenced by his tourism minister, and not just in matters of tourism.

At a higher political level, that of national government, the appointment of the Mallorcan Isabel Borrego as tourism secretary of state potentially does begin to take on rather more significance, as one digests the criticisms of the architects. Her background in property law and planning has been described as being positive by the Spanish Confederation of Hotels that has emphasised the need to transform mature tourist zones.

The Confederation is of course right, as the hotels in the Balearics and the Balearic Government are also right in seeking to effect resort modernisation, but it is no coincidence that a politician with Borrego's background has been appointed to the tourism role as it is surely also no coincidence that she is from the Balearics.

President Bauzá has applauded her appointment, saying it will allow for projects that will make the Balearics tourism sector more competitive, and the appointment has been styled as a continuation of the role that Joan Mesquida had and as a recognition of the Balearics' importance to national tourism. But, and not for the first time, one looks at the degree to which the Balearics form the test-bed for Partido Popular policies nationally.

The architects have highlighted legal issues in respect of the tourism law. If there are, then they can surely be dealt with. And if there is a national tourism secretary of state, a Balearics deputy, and an expert in property law, then who better could there be to assist?


Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.