Mallorca I No. 2149 I 10 - 16 September 2026 I FREE Newspaper Dep. Legal PM - 140 - 2004 - ISSN 2488-1686
Calvia reaches European final CALVIA has taken a major step towards international tourism recognition after reaching the final stage of the European Capitals of Tourism 2027 competition. The Mallorca municipality is among just 16 destinations across Europe still in the running for the prestigious title, putting the island firmly in the spotlight. The competition celebrates destinations that are developing innovative, sustainable and accessible approaches to tourism, with Calvia selected in the category for towns and cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. It joins Ibiza and finalists from countries including France, Germany, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Turkey and Croatia. The shortlist was originally expected to feature just four destinations in each category. However, eight were eventually selected after several candidates received identical evaluation scores. Calvia’s success comes as the municipality continues efforts to reshape its tourism offering and reduce its reliance on the traditional summer season. Although the area is internationally famous for resorts including Magaluf, Palmanova, Santa Ponsa and Peguera, officials have increasingly focused on pro-
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Reached the final stage of European Capitals of Tourism 2027.
moting other sides of the municipality. Nature, sport, culture and year-round experiences are becoming a bigger part of the tourism strategy, alongside investment in sustainability, accessibility and innovation. That approach could prove particularly important as destinations across Mallorca face growing pressure to find a better balance between tourism, the environment and residents’ quality of life. The European competition specifically
recognises destinations that are looking beyond visitor numbers and developing tourism models designed to be sustainable in the long term. For Calvia, reaching the final is therefore more than a promotional opportunity. It provides international recognition for the municipality’s efforts to modernise its tourism model while maintaining its position as one of Mallorca’s best-known holiday destinations. The next stage will take place in Brussels on November 18 and 19.
Representatives from each shortlisted destination will present their tourism strategies to an independent European jury, with the presentations expected to play a key role in deciding the eventual winners. Two destinations will ultimately be named European Capitals of Tourism for 2027. A victory would give Calvia a major international platform throughout the year, helping showcase the municipality to potential visitors across Europe and beyond. It could also provide a valuable boost for local businesses, including hotels, restaurants and tourism operators, while strengthening Calvia’s reputation as a destination capable of moving beyond the traditional sun-and-sea model. Even without taking the final title, reaching this stage represents a significant achievement for Calvia and another opportunity to put Mallorca’s changing tourism strategy in front of a European audience. The result will be closely watched on the island as Calvia prepares to make its case for one of Europe’s most coveted tourism honours.