Palma.—The Balearic association of apartments and houses for seasonal renting (Aptur) has stressed the importance of such accommodation as it helps lay the foundation for a new tourism model that is characterised by environmental, economic and socio-cultural sustainability, while it can also be the “key” to tackling the issue of tourism seasonality. Aptur has, therefore, offered the new regional government a base for its new tourism model, while saying of a tourist tax that it should be “a means and not an end in itself”.
The association adds that private accommodation holiday rental is an increasing phenomenon that will only go on increasing and that it is not negative for the Balearics.

Suitable regulation
Accordingly, Aptur also stresses the need for suitable regulation of the private accommodation sector, rejecting the pressures from organisations such as the Majorca hoteliers’ federation (FEHM), which has yet to appreciate the reality of a change in accommodation demand.  “This should not be about favouring anyone but to be aware that a debate regarding a new model of Balearic tourism cannot be opened if one part of it that is growing the most is not taken into account.”