On the first day of the World Travel Market in London, the Consell de Formentera, the Consell de Formentera presented the new promotional campaign commissioned by Tourism, the department under the responsibility of Artal Mayans, the only councilor of Sa Unió who remains in the island government. The filming highlights the weight in the cinematographic story of the promotion of the beach bars as the central axis of the spot. So much so that the piece can be described as a free advertorial paid with public funds for the companies that won the contest under suspicion and have been repeatedly failing to comply with the specifications of the same. The Minister of Tourism, Artal Mayans, has stressed from London that the goal of the island is to preserve its essence, emphasizing the importance of these spaces for the cultural identity of Formentera. Under the slogan Memories by the seathe campaign seeks to evoke the unique experience that, according to Mayans, represents the traditional model of beach bars. After the typical general close-ups with idyllic landscapes of the island, there is a succession of images of all kinds with the beach bars as the central axis. A group of young boys and girls toasting with a mojito sitting on the terrace of one of the beach bars, tourists toasting on the terrace of one of these places, a smiling young man preparing a cocktail, another, thumbs up, an Aperol, customers looking at the typical blackboard with the offer, a waiter delivering a hamburger, a cook beating eggs are some of the images of the spot. In total, 64 seconds of the 2 minutes and 24 seconds that the recording lasts, 45%. It is undoubtedly the chapter that takes the most seconds, ahead of the 38 seconds dedicated to the party, the 29 seconds dedicated to landscapes taken with a drone and the 8 seconds of underwater images.
Irregularities
In recent months, the Consell Insular de Formentera has admitted the existence of irregularities in the awarding of these establishments, from the absence of certified lifeguards to facilities that do not meet the required safety standards. These concerns have been the subject of complaints by both the former concessionaires and local associations that point out deficiencies in the management of these facilities, which has not prevented the Consell from betting on this product as the central axis of the promotional campaign. One of the problems highlighted has been the lack of lifeguards in some beach bars, a mandatory requirement in the concession contract that has not been met. The Coastal Director of the Consell, Asier Fernandez, acknowledged that some concessionaires have not provided qualified lifeguards or adequate equipment, which puts at risk the safety on the beaches. This contractual non-compliance has led the administration to take action, warning that, if the problems persist, it could proceed to the termination of the concessions. In addition to the lack of qualified personnel, the complaints point to other critical aspects, such as the non-existence of a replanting act, an essential technical document that guarantees compliance with safety regulations and which is signed at the beginning and end of the assembly of the beach infrastructures. The absence of this act in some beach bars has been confirmed by the Balearic Government, which raises doubts about the legality and safety of the active concessions since the beginning of the season.
Another point of conflict
Another point of conflict has been the installation of illegal illegal pipelines under protected dunes on the beach of es Migjorn, a fact that has been denounced by the Directorate of Coasts. Although the concessionaire claimed to have verbal permits, this practice violates the regulations for the conservation of the natural environment, while the Consell has avoided sanctioning these irregularities, generating criticism for its apparent lack of control and supervision. Beyond the technical and safety problems, tourists have also complained about the lack of basic services such as bathrooms, as well as the unauthorized installation of umbrellas and hammocks in unmarked areas, which affects the experience of those who visit the island’s beaches.
