Mallorca, escaping the labyrinth (The essential change of the productive model)

The media fulfill a social function of the first order and, furthermore, of high democratic value due to the fact that they contribute to the formation of public opinion. Based on this premise, out of a sense of responsibility and moved by feelings of esteem, respect, and service to the land and citizens of Mallorca, a group of collaborators from the three print newspapers published on the island (ARA Balears, ‘Diario de Mallorca’ and ‘Última Hora’) have agreed to publish this article. The aim is to call upon all political parties, the bodies that have the power to modify the current state of affairs – particularly, the self-governing institutions and city councils –, as well as, in general, all economic and social powers, capable of conditioning and influencing decision-making, for a radical, progressive, and measured, but firm, change in the current economic model.

Mallorca is in a critical situation. Indeed, the current production system in our land has led to the impoverishment of our physical and cultural habitat, and nothing suggests, on the contrary, that there is a determined will to rectify this course. The last seven decades, more or less, have been characterized by the predominance of the false paradigm of unlimited growth of all constants linked to mass tourism (with construction as an added effect). But, necessarily, for mere survival, this model must end its vital journey. It is not a matter – it is important to clarify this first of all – of questioning the economic relevance that tourism has for us as a central element of job creation and business opportunitiesemployment and business opportunities. It is, above all, a matter of recognizing that exacerbated liberalism, the lack of long-term public planning, and the absence of consideration and reflection on our collective future have led us to this moment of stagnation

The symptoms of the illness that affects us are well known. One could even say that they have ended up being accepted, as a careful analysis of our reality, by everyone. We would mention four symptoms, all four interconnected: overpopulation, the excessive number of tourists, the excessive exploitation of the territory –and, more particularly, of rural land– and, finally, the diminishing of the Catalan language. Firstly, Mallorca endures an index of human pressure (the relationship between the surface of a place and the people who inhabit it) that is entirely excessive, and forecasts suggest that in the next ten years the increase will be, at least, two hundred thousand people, mostly from outside (that is to say, we are not talking about natural growth, but rather growth due to migration). As is obvious, the workforce that arrives in Mallorca does so because of the economic activity maintained here by the two practically monopolistic productive sectors, tourism and construction, in permanent boom. It must be said that this migratory dynamic coexists with a gradual and impoverishing expulsion of local talent unrelated to the two sectors mentioned. 

Secondly, the exponential and non-stop growth of travelers/tourists arriving in Mallorca must be pointed out, a reality objectively reflected in the numbers provided by Aena, the owner and operator of the Palma airport. That the last year, 2025, closed with a figure of 33.8 million passengers and that this represents an increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year, is, due to its sheer excessiveness, an unacceptable amount. Thirdly, that the territory has to endure more aggressions – until when?–, that violations of the regulations governing territorial planning have been legalized and that massive construction is planned on rustic land and surrounding urban centers, constructions that, in turn, will consume more natural resources and require more public services and infrastructure, constitutes the umpteenth aggression against the territory, but also against common sense. The expropriation of the use – not the ownership – of empty homes owned by large holders, many of whom are in the hands of investment funds or banks, and the reconversion of obsolete hotels would be the rational and useful options if the objective of reducing the problem of housing shortage is truly pursued.

Reason indicates that it is inevitable that tourism and construction will decrease and that all oversized magnitudes will shrink. Decreasing will require diversifying the economy with alternatives such as fostering knowledge, technological innovation, the cultural industry, research, the care economy, local production, the social and solidarity economy, and value-added services... Governing – must it be remembered?– means making decisions, also difficult decisions, of high commitment. But what gives true meaning to the act of governing is the pursuit of the citizens' well-being. This well-being, understood not only in economic terms, but also in terms of tranquility, peace of mind, unhindered mobility, enjoyment of nature and cities, guarantee of the survival of cultural and linguistic references, and the traditional way that Mallorcans have used to relate to our natural and human environment. 

Finally, we have mentioned the minorization of the Catalan language as an eloquent symptom of the degradation of our cultural ecosystem. The fullness of the country's language and its general social use should be considered, once and for all, as priorities of public (and also private) action. The Catalan language, for Majorcans, is not just their historical and characteristic speech, rooted here for eight centuries, which is why it demands to be respected, protected, and promoted, but it should constitute a meeting point for all islanders as a backbone of coexistence.

If we have agreed that the current productive model must change, it is time to move from verbalizing the problem to materializing verifiable actions to reverse our lamentable current reality. However, it is necessary to clarify that any policy that is intended to be initiated aimed at recovering our collective dignity and well-being will require decisions to be agreed upon, to be the result of consensus. We demand, therefore, consensus, deep agreements, and long-term visions for our future that set aside the mixtures of momentary gain with no other ambition than a pyrrhic victory over the opponent. After all, because we are playing for, without nuance, our future as a collectivity, we emphatically demand a high sense of responsibility and that the focus be placed solely – solely – on Mallorca. The article is signed: David Abril, Antoni Aguiló, Celestí Alomar, Martí Ávila, Sebastià Alzamora, Rafel Borràs, Margalida Capellà, Francesc Casadesús, Lourdes Duran, Pere Estelrich, Àngels Fermoselle, Sebastià Frau, Jaume Garau, Antoni Janer, Gabriel Janer Manila, Maria de la Pau Janer, Miquel Àngel Lladó, Miquel À. Llauger, Cristina Llorente, Laia Malo, Pere Joan Martorell, Biel Mesquida, Antoni Mir, Cati Moyà, Felip Munar, Neus Picó, Climent Picornell, Mateu Picornell, Rosa Planas, Pere Antoni Pons, Margalida Ramis, Nanda Ramon, Joan Riera i Antoni Tarabini