Spain tourism model shifts toward social sustainability

The tourism industry in Spain is facing a strategic shift from prioritizing volume and growth to focusing on social sustainability and community coexistence. Experts at the OVB 2026 event emphasized that success should no longer be measured solely by tourist arrivals and spending, but by the actual value added to the territory, including stable employment and wealth retention.

In the Balearic Islands, specifically Ibiza, the Phoenix Report highlights significant economic imbalances. Despite the industry's growth, it has not improved the purchasing power of local families. The report notes that the average salary in the tourism sector is often too low to cover the social costs of the workers, such as education, healthcare, and pensions, effectively resulting in a public subsidy for high-revenue companies.

To address these issues, experts suggest moving away from models based purely on tourist volume. Comparisons with the Canary Islands suggest that diversifying into higher value-added sectors and placing limits on accommodation growth can help mitigate the negative social and economic impacts seen in the Balearic model.