New Grant Scheme to Move Towards More Circular Tourism

Sustainable tourism is not just about regulations or infrastructure: it also requires research, digitalisation and changes to the private sector model. The Balearic Islands Tourism Innovation and Circularity Project (PICIB), which includes three funding calls for proposals aimed at businesses in the tourism industry, has been created with this in mind. The project is funded by the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS) fund, as part of the 2024–2025 Annual Plan.

Funding will cover initiatives in three key areas: circularity (€2 million), technological innovation in digitalisation (€5 million) and energy efficiency (€3 million). Each call will have its own timetable, although all will follow the same framework for publication, submission, resolution, implementation and defence over a total period of 36 months.

The first call, focusing on tourism circularity, will be published between October and November 2025. This will be followed by digitalisation (April 2026) and energy efficiency (October 2026). Beneficiary companies will be able to fund projects aimed at redesigning processes, incorporating clean technology or reducing environmental impact.

The aim is to make the Balearic Islands a leader in tourism innovation applied to sustainability. This scheme, channelled through the ITS fund, seeks to continue on from the first pilot schemes launched with EU funds and to establish a more resilient, competitive and committed tourism ecosystem.