Tourism businesses in the Balearic Islands will have to adopt more sustainable practices as part of a €55 million initiative by the regional government.
A new law will take see hotel ratings take more account of sustainability and limit the use of plastic and paper.
Single-use bathroom amenities will be banned and hotels must substitute paper handouts for QR codes.
Businesses will have to prioritise locally sourced food and use systems that optimise the use of resources such as water and electricity.
Hotels must install double-push buttons on toilet cisterns and water-saving devices on washbasins, baths and showers.
Properties must also measure their water consumption and using rainwater will be a factor in the rating of accommodation.
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Oil boilers must be switched to natural gas or electric ones, to emit less carbon.
The law also aims to protect staff from workplace accidents by requiring hotels to install elevating beds by 2023.
It is estimated this will mean renewing 300,000 beds and more than 20,000 hotel workers will benefit.
More than a third (35%) of workplace accidents suffered by these workers are linked to overexertion.
Francina Armengol, president of the Balearic Islands, said: “The tourism sector in the Balearic Islands is primarily interested in continuing to adopt cutting edge tourism innovation.
“The new laws bring together a series of measures which will allow a more inclusive and sustainable form of economic growth; an improvement to the cohabitation of workers, residents and tourists; a more efficient use of resources; as well as boosting public-private collaboration, in line with the guidelines established for the allocation of European funds.”
Picture of Porte de Soller, Palma Mallorca, by Balate Dorin/Shutterstock