Pedro Oliver: "From Denmark, it costs almost the same to travel to Mallorca as it does to Thailand."

PalmPedro Oliver, president of the Official Association of Tourist Guides of the Balearic Islands, has extensive knowledge of both the public and private sectors in his field. He studied Tourism at the University of Brighton (England). He began his professional career at Ultramar Express, the former inbound travel agency of TUI. Later, he joined the Palma City Council to head the Municipal Tourism Institute before moving to the private sector and, finally, working as a self-employed tourist guide. An associate professor at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and Felipe Moreno University, he specializes in corporate and sustainable events.

What is the mission of the Association?

— We look after the well-being of our destination and the environment. We promote a responsible and balanced tourism model that benefits local families and avoids exploitation. From November to March, we participate in training and professional development. We contribute to both the professionalization of the sector and the overall well-being of the destination.

What qualifications are required to be a tour guide in the Balearic Islands?

— The most direct route is a degree in Tourism from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), which automatically grants accreditation. It is also possible to access these positions with a specific higher-level vocational training qualification or, with other qualifications, by passing an exam administered by the island councils, which assesses knowledge and language proficiency. Four languages are required, although some guides are fluent in more.

The College requests these meetings, but they never happen.

— We've been demanding them in Mallorca for twenty years. The shortage fuels the illegal market: nearly 60% of those who make them tours They are not accredited and inspections are scarce. Many professionals trained in other fields or abroad are unable to obtain a license. The College has offered to collaborate with the Administration to organize the exams, but this has not been accepted. The shortage of legal guides is creating an excessive workload for professionals. Retirements are exacerbating the situation, and the lack of oversight is detrimental to tourists and Mallorca's image.

So, can anyone act as a guide?

— Exactly. Companies hire without oversight: they pay whatever they want, sometimes under the table or with irregular contracts. It's a precarious economy that generates neither wealth nor stability. The lack of inspections and penalties has normalized illegality.

What does an official guide earn?

— It depends on the service and the client. A half-day guided tour can cost around 250 euros. Most guides are self-employed; some work with agencies or tour operators for stability. It's a competitive profession: if you leave a group dissatisfied, it's unlikely they'll hire you again.

What is your opinion on the limitation of guided groups in Palma?

— It's a positive step. Absolutely sustainable tourism doesn't exist, but we can make it less unsustainable. Limiting group sizes reduces noise and overcrowding, improves the experience, and benefits residents. Not everyone sees it the same way: some think more tourists mean more work, but with smaller groups, the service is much better. After pressure from international agencies, the limit was set at 35 people, better than the previous 70, although still insufficient. If an island-wide policy isn't implemented, the pressure will shift to municipalities like Sóller and Valldemossa. The underlying problem is structural: large companies maximize profits, while residents suffer the consequences.

How do you view overcrowding and the tourist 'collapse'?

— Overcrowding reflects an uncontrolled and unplanned model that depletes resources and forces residents out. Our children have to leave because they can't live here. There is pollution, precarious living conditions, and the concentration of profits in the hands of outsiders. We say we want to limit cruise ships, but we expand the port; we want fewer tourists, but the airport grows; we want to limit hotels, but we encourage vacation rentals. These are contradictions of a system that is out of control. We need conscious tourism, one that values culture and the environment. The ideal model would concentrate the season from April to October, with older, respectful visitors who have a greater interest in culture.

What future do you foresee for the sector?

Mallorca will be an expensive destination, moving towards becoming a luxury destination and attracting tourists with greater purchasing power. Internationalization is a reality, and the visitor profile is changing rapidly. There are already fewer tours and less spending in bars and restaurants. The customer low cost It will be concentrated in peak months, but the change has already begun: the public is more aware and politicians are starting to react.

Will low-cost tourism disappear?

— It will shift to other destinations. Today, traveling from Denmark to Mallorca costs almost the same as traveling to Thailand. However, sun and beach tourism remains essential: if we were to lose a large part of the summer demand, flights and connections would be reduced, affecting the rest of the year. Simply raising prices isn't enough: a 30% drop would be a major blow, even for spring and autumn.

How can tour guides contribute to reorganizing tourism?

— We demand more recruitment drives for licensed guides, increased inspections, and stricter group sizes. This would benefit tourists, guides, and residents. However, with only 20 inspectors in the Balearic Islands, compared to 90 in Barcelona, ​​oversight is woefully inadequate. Investment funds that manage tourist accommodations also fail to publish their offerings transparently, making them difficult to regulate.

Have tour operators lost weight?

— Among young people, yes. They're avoiding package tours. But tour operators still wield considerable power: they're intermediaries, they bring in clients, and they charge high prices. If we can't connect with the younger demographic, the future is uncertain. However, Mallorca is shifting its focus to tourists with greater purchasing power: fewer visitors, but higher spending per visitor. This will mean a loss of business during the summer, but it will lead to more profitable and less crowded tourism.

What type of intrusion does it detect?

— We file complaints constantly. It's rare for a week to go by without us receiving photos or warnings. After seven years without inspections, they resumed in April, but they're still few and far between. Offenders act with impunity because they know the risk of being penalized is minimal. There's also a great sense of insecurity. It's frustrating to see how easy it would be to stop pickpocketing if simple measures were implemented. We guides send each other photos and warnings to alert one another, but the police could use this information and act more effectively. There are three particularly vulnerable spots: Bellver Castle, La Calobra, and La Seu Cathedral.

What differences did you notice depending on the visitor's nationality?

— Purchasing power greatly influences their behavior. We've seen a decrease in British and German visitors, even though they've been coming to Mallorca for decades; entire generations. Brexit and the recession have reduced their spending, although they remain loyal and reliable. Visitors from the United States have high purchasing power. They might pay €2,000 for a flight alone. They may not have as much of a connection to history or art, but they are very open-minded and curious. They enjoy trying local cuisine: they have no problem eating snails or dirty rice. As for Asians, especially Japanese and Chinese, they are arriving in greater numbers than before. For them, sun and sand aren't a major cultural draw, but they are showing increasing interest, so it's important for us to train ourselves to better serve this market.