They will take part in the fair with a new stand inspired by Posidonia and the creation of the first virtual world in the Metaverse with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of sustainability and circularity.

The Balearic Islands will be taking part in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) to be held in Madrid from 18 to 22 January. The aim will be to consolidate the national market and raise awareness of the importance of being a fully sustainable and circular destination, as well as to highlight the islands’ leadership in the transition to a new tourism model, the tourism model of the future.

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The Balearic Islands attend Fitur

To this end, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera will be present at Fitur with a new 1,000 m2 stand coordinated by the Regional Ministry of Economic Models, Tourism and Employment, through the Tourism Strategy Agency (AETIB).

It is a stand inspired by the Posidonia Oceanica, with a firm commitment to sustainability, both in its materials and in the entire construction process, and which also seeks to be a functional and useful space for all the trade fair activity that takes place there.

The new proposal arises from the search to outline the properties of this marine plant, so characteristic of the Mediterranean, to build a different and attractive stand that reflects its colours, that is natural and that projects the image of a commitment to sustainability, so necessary for its survival.

Posidonia as a symbolic image that represents the Balearic Islands helps to mitigate the ravages of storms and preserve the physiognomy of the coast, captures CO₂ and provides oxygen in our seas. It is in itself a generator of biodiversity, as are the Balearic Islands.

The Balearic Islands’ stand at Fitur will have its own stand with the island councils of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, as well as various local councils and private co-exhibitors (Grupo Eulen, Hotel Aucanada, Roig Drive Mallorca, Trasmpai, Ikos Porto Petro, Be Live Hotels and Barceló Hotel Group). There will also be five radio booths from which different local radio stations will broadcast live during those days.

Likewise, as is customary at tourism fairs, the AETIB has set up a table reservation system at the stand so that the sector can hold work meetings at the fair in an organised manner. This system has been communicated in advance to tourism companies so that they can use it to schedule their appointments.

Presence in the Metaverse

One of the main novelties this year will be the creation of the first virtual world of the Balearic Islands in the Metaverse (AltSpace VR). This is a replica of the physical stand at Fitur through which users will be able to enjoy an immersive experience while they take a brief tour of the tourist attractions of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The Metaverse will also showcase many of the initiatives being carried out by the Balearic Islands in the areas of sustainability and circularity and in line with the SDGs.

This new virtual space is completed, moreover, with the generation of another initiative linked to this digital environment: the publication of a series of collections of NFTs (Not Fungible Tokens). This is the Poseidonics NFT project, five superheroes who seek the collaboration of users to raise awareness of the need to turn tourist destinations into sustainable destinations.

Activities at the stand

During the days of the fair, different presentations will be held at the Balearic Islands stand.

On Wednesday 18 January, at 1 p.m., the President of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, and the Councillor for Economic Model, Tourism and Employment, Iago Negueruela, will take part in the presentation “The Balearic Islands are leading the transition towards the tourism of the future: circularity and sustainability as the cornerstones”. Two round tables will be held to discuss the transformation that has begun in the Balearic Islands following the entry into force of the new Tourism Law.

13.00 h: Round table “Balearic Islands: Promoting the primary sector and local produce”, with the presence of representatives from Unió de Pagesos, Asociación Agraria de Jóvenes Agricultores (ASAJA), Federación Balear Balear de Cofradías de Pescadores and the Asociación de Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de las Islas Baleares (Association of Agri-food Cooperatives of the Balearic Islands). It will address the importance of local produce, the 0-kilometre product and how the new tourism law has facilitated the transformation, something that the sector has taken advantage of and is carrying out.

13.30: Round table “The Balearic Islands leads the transition towards the tourism of the future”. Different representatives from the hotel sector will take part in the round table, which will serve to share the experience of all these companies with the new tourism regulations and how they have adapted to this transformation process.
On Thursday 19 January, at 11:00 am, the island councils of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera will present their main tourism innovations for the year 2023.

Also as part of Fitur, environmental education workshops for adults and children will be held over the weekend.