May 5 was a historical day for the port of Palma de Mallorca, with the signing of an agreement to limit the number of cruise ships by 2026. The popular cruise destination in the Balearic Islands will allow no more than three cruise ships per day with a limit to one mega cruise ship with over 5,000 passengers. For the current year, four ships a day may be in port for a maximum of eighteen days during the year. From 2023, this will no longer apply, as the port authorities commit to sustainability.

Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism Fernando Valdes described this as "historic" in terms of the cruise industry's commitment to sustainability.

At the Palacio de Congresos in Palma, the CLIA Cruise Lines International Association signed the memorandum of understanding with the Balearic government that will limit the arrival of cruise ships until 2026. There was an agreement in principle at a meeting in Hamburg in December last year. Thursday's signing was therefore confirmation of what was agreed some months ago.

The director of the CLIA in Europe, Marie-Caroline Laurent, said that companies are committing to implement a joint vision with the Balearic government for the sustainability of cruise activity in Palma. There will be a benefit for the city because of a staggered arrival of cruise ships.

President Armengol thanked the CLIA and the cruise operators for their commitment to reaching the agreement. "We have been working for two years to achieve this agreement and to balance the arrival of cruise ships according to criteria of quality rather than quantity. We want to be a leading destination in terms of cruise tourism sustainability and so end overcrowding and seek the highest quality of life for residents."

The agreement is the second for a Mediterranean port. Port of Dubrovnik has a similar arrangement.