Guillem Ginard will be the new Tourism Minister of the Consell de Mallorca
Sources close to the matter confirm that the president has already decided on a replacement for Marcial Rodríguez, who had been on thin ice for months due to errors in the tourist accommodation allocation system.
PalmGuillem Ginard will most likely replace Marcial Rodríguez as head of the Tourism Department of the Consell de Mallorca. The change comes after a turbulent period in the department, marked by repeated problems in the management of the tourist accommodation system, which has failed in recent attempts at allocation and distribution, creating a sense of incompetence within the department and significant frustration within Llorenç Galmés's governing team. Furthermore, Marcial Rodríguez had been involved in major clashes with tourism inspection staff, which have eroded his political standing. The current head of the department, one of the most important in the Consell due to the scope of its responsibilities, was even singled out by public employees for clashes and pressures.
Over the past few months, the regional tourism department has faced increasing criticism for malfunctions in the computer system that regulates the exchange and transfer of tourist accommodation, a key tool in the policy of containing oversupply. Technical errors forced the cancellation of procedures, created legal uncertainty among owners and developers, and drew harsh criticism from the opposition. Adding to this situation were internal tensions with the tourism inspection service, which spilled over into the political arena and further weakened the regional minister's position.
In this context, the president of the regional government, according to sources familiar with the matter, decided before the holidays to make an internal change and was clear that he wanted someone with institutional experience. The name that has been circulating strongly this Monday, and which various sources consider a certainty, is that of Guillem Ginard, the current island director of Culture and a figure with a long political career, particularly linked to the rural areas of the island.
In any case, sources from the Consell (Island Council) wanted to remind everyone that "at this point there is still a Tourism Minister and, therefore, until there is a dismissal or a resignation, no replacement can be discussed," they explained.
Former mayor of Campos
Ginard was mayor of Campos between 2007 and 2010, at that time a member of Unió Mallorquina (UM), during a period marked by complex agreements and a highly fragmented political landscape. During his term, he played a key role in important decisions, such as the restructuring of governing coalitions, and ultimately resigned in January 2010 to facilitate an agreement with the Campos pel Canvi coalition (PSM-PSOE-Entesa), within the framework of a mutually agreed-upon roadmap. That same year, Ginard and most of the UM members in Campos left the party due to disagreements with the island leadership, an episode that practically left the party without a structure in the municipality. After his time in office, Ginard pursued a career in the private sector, although he has always maintained contacts within the cultural sphere. He has held several positions related to public administration and, in July 2023, returned to the Consell de Mallorca as Island Director of Culture, a role from which he has coordinated cultural, heritage, and artistic promotion projects throughout the island. His appointment as Tourism Councillor is part of Llorenç Galmés's attempt to restore internal cohesion and, above all, the management capacity of the Tourism Department, which currently holds fundamental responsibilities such as tourism inspection and regulation. The challenge is significant: to streamline the operation of the tourist accommodation system, rebuild the relationship with the inspection teams, and manage one of the most controversial and crucial public policies for the future of Mallorca, at a time when tourist saturation is a very real concern on the island, and various groups are demanding decisive action against illegal operators. Habtur, the first welcoming reaction to the new councillor
The tourist rental association, Habtur, was the first entity to comment on the news that Guillem Ginard will replace Marcial Rodríguez. "We want to welcome him and wish him success in this new role," Habtur sources stated. "The tourist rental sector is facing a crucial moment, with outstanding issues that require dialogue, clarity, and decisions," the statement issued by Habtur continued. The association indicated that it trusts this new phase will serve to "move towards balanced and realistic solutions." In this regard, they noted that among the challenges facing the regional minister is the operation of the tourist accommodation pool, "especially with regard to tourist apartments, as well as the need to establish transparent and equitable criteria among all types of accommodation." "The holiday rental sector is made up primarily of small, locally based owners who comply with regulations and want to continue contributing to the local economy," they said. Finally, the association has expressed its support for the person who will soon be appointed as the new Tourism Councillor of the Consell de Mallorca.
