The Balearic Islands are one of the areas southeast of the European Union participating in the tourism project ‘SUDOE Odyssea’ to begin this July, its first phase with a meeting to be held in Palma de Mallorca from 7 July 2009, which first addressed the possibilities of informing tourists about the services and places of interest available inland that occurs beyond the limits of the port areas that they frequent in their voyages.
Thus, culture, cycling, crafts, festivals and protected areas are some of the most frequently ignored attractions by nautical visitors, who, in turn, are regular users of the services and port facilities and the hotels, restaurants and entertainment adjacent to the ocean. A situation that this project seeks to balance by cearing appropriate channels for the promotion of these services.
According to the Minister of Tourism, Miquel Nadal who presented today this is the first time the Balearic islands have participated in a European incentive of these characteristics, to be promoted in the islands through Ibatur, and which also involves regions of Andalusia, Portugal, South of France and Gibraltar; the nominated pioneers of this incentive in the case of the Balearic ports – the Mallorcan towns of Soller and Campos.
The project ‘Odyssea SUDOE’, including the European program ‘INTERREG 2′ will be launched next Tuesday, July 7, in a seminar that will be held in the Riskal center, Palma, which will be attended by representatives of all affected areas , to discuss the possibilities to present the offer to visitors showing the benefits of local areas outside of the immediate ports areas, to capture these tourists characterized as having greater purchasing power.
According to the Minister, who detailed, among other things, the installation of computer terminals with internet access to port areas in which you can view information regarding places of interest, restaurants, hotels, culture and more that is located inland in the area immediately adjacent to the port. Spas,’talayots’, beaches and wetlands, in the case of Campos. Or the stunning beauty of Fornalutx and many other parts of the valley, in the case of Soller.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Campos, Guillem Ginard, and Alderman of Soller, Tomas Plomer present at the ceremony today, emphasized the importance to ensure that their municipalities’ nautical tourists know that these claims are the main attractions of areas which are itself privileged and receiving an increasing demand in this segment.
NEARLY TWO MILLION
To this end, the EU spends the amount of 1,917,000 euros for all participating areas, representing 75% of the total amount expected to develop the pilot project for a total of 24 months. The activity will start producing an inventory of the supply of tourist interests located in and adjacent to the port areas and finish with the introduction of appropriate promotional resources.
Once proven effective, these resources will be a “common tool” for all ‘partners’ participants ‘Odyssea SUDOE’ and even in the future could extend its use to other municipalities including port and river-tourism.
Roger Swain 