Impact of Tourism on Electricity Consumption in the Balearic Islands

Abstract

[eng] The following study aims to discuss the impact of tourism on energy consumption, focusing specifically on the Balearic Islands, analysing the prior of years from 2013- 2023. The paper focusses in the use of econometric techniques to highlights the intricate dynamics of tourismrelated electricity consumption, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of drivers such as human pressure, hotel occupancy rates, and regional PBI. The study is expected outcome is to increase understanding of the impact of the drivers of tourism on electricity consumption and inform policy and practice for sustainable tourism. To provide factual evidence for the ongoing debate about the impact of tourism on natural resource consumption and to underscores the importance of both methodological precision and theoretical frameworks in studying the tourism-energy nexus and support the development of plans for mitigation, contingency, and adaptation to improve energy efficiency measures. Key insights indicate that while human pressure strongly influences energy consumption, showing the Human Pressure Index (HPI) as the primary driver of energy consumption, with a 1% increase in HPI leading to approximately a 1% rise in electricity consumption. Other factors, including tourist arrivals, may have a more complex or even inverse relationship with electricity usage. The review calls for future research that integrates econometric techniques with broader theoretical considerations to better understand how tourism affects energy demand and environmental outcomes, particularly in tourism-dependent regions like the Balearic Islands. The review concludes with policy recommendations for sustainable energy strategies and tourism management to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.