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Press & Media
Articles, Interviews and Press Appearances of Pedro Oliver,
Your Mallorca Private Tour Guide.
King and Queen's
annual reception
for Balearic civil society 2026
It was a great honour to be invited, for the third time, to the reception hosted by Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Spain, at Marivent Palace, representing the Official College of Tourist Guides of the Balearic Islands as its President.
Being part of this gathering once again is a privilege and a meaningful recognition of the role that official guides play in sharing the culture, history and identity of our islands with visitors from around the world.
The reception at Marivent brings together representatives from many different areas of Balearic society in a unique setting, creating an opportunity to exchange ideas and reflect on the present and future of our islands.
For those of us working in tourism, it is also a reminder of the responsibility we have to promote a model based on quality, respect for our heritage, sustainability and a genuine connection with the local community.
Mallorca and the Balearic Islands have an extraordinary cultural, historical, natural and gastronomic heritage. As official guides, our work goes far beyond showing places: it is about helping visitors understand them, appreciate them and discover the stories behind them.
I am deeply grateful for this third invitation and for the opportunity to represent our profession once again at such a special occasion.
We will continue working to promote the Balearic Islands with professionalism, pride and respect for everything that makes them unique.
Press appearance in Daily Mail
Andrea wandered through Palma's narrow alleyways, enchanted by the historic charm and vibrant street life. Her guide, Pedro Oliver, led her to a unique culinary gem: a restaurant situated on a tiny island just off the coast.
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Press appearance in The Times
Take a tour with Pedro Oliver. He’s passionate about Palma (and Mallorca) and can tailor-make the tour to suit, whether you want to know where the locals (or the visiting celebrities) go for supper or the history of the island’s invaders...
Interview in Diario de Mallorca, the leading newspaper of the island
I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Diario de Mallorca, where I shared our vision for the future of the tour guide sector in Mallorca. We discussed the importance of continuous training and how we can enhance the quality of service in our destination.
I also talked about our commitment to responsible tourism and the need to combat labor intrusion. Ensuring that official guides provide an authentic and professional experience to tourists is crucial for us.
Interview in Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster
I had the opportunity to share my perspective with Deutsche Welle, discussing the record number of tourists visiting Mallorca this year despite growing local protests.
We reflected on the island’s need to balance economic growth with the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage. I also emphasized the importance of promoting a more conscious and sustainable tourism model that respects residents and the environment, ensuring that Mallorca remains an authentic and welcoming destination for future generations.
King and Queen's annual reception for Balearic civil society 2023
King Felipe and Queen Letizia alongside Queen Mother Sofia hosted a gala reception at the Marivent Palace in Cala Mayor for more than 500 guests. Pedro Oliver was invited to this event as representative of the Official College of Tourist Guides of the Balearic Islands.
"Three perfect days in Mallorca"
Hemispheres is the award-winning onboard magazine for United Airlines. The magazine is published by Ink and produced in Brooklyn, New York.
"Interview on one of the country's most important radio stations."
Navigating Turbulence: A Guide's Perspective
The tourism industry in the Balearic Islands has been taken aback by a surge in demand for tour guides this February. With a 60 percent increase reported by the official college, expectations now rival those of April. Tune in to Hoy por Hoy Mallorca (February 29) to hear Pedro Oliver, president of the Official College of Tour Guides of the Balearic Islands, discuss this unexpected trend.
As we embrace the season, I want to address the uncertainties and risks we face, especially in the Meetings and Incentives market. Listen to the full interview to understand how we're tackling the tourist season from the perspective of certified tour guides.
Interview on Fibwi TV about Moll Vell Parking Restrictions
I had the opportunity to discuss the pressing issue of parking restrictions for excursion coaches at Moll Vell on Fibwi TV. During the interview, I highlighted the significant concerns raised by the Balearic Official College of Tourist Guides (Cogtib), the Balearic Federation of Transport (FEBT), and the Balearic Travel Agencies Association (Aviba).
We hope the authorities will reconsider their decision and allow us to continue parking as we have for the past 20 years. Thank you, Fibwi TV, for providing a platform to voice these concerns.
Mallorca's guiding passion featured on Spain's top radio network!
Representing the Official Guide School of Mallorca, I recently joined RTVE's "Radiodiari Migdia Balears" for an insightful interview! The interview segment starts after minute 2:30.
We discussed the rewarding profession of guiding across our captivating island. Exploring our training courses and commitment to enhancing visitor experiences, we also analyzed the past season and our future outlook. Despite challenges, our dedication fuels Mallorca's tourism.
Excited to welcome visitors and share Mallorca's allure!
Interview with Pedro Oliver on COPE: Tourist Guide Exams Return to Mallorca After 19 Years
In this interview on COPE, Pedro Oliver discusses the Consell de Mallorca’s decision to hold official exams for tourist guide licenses for the first time since 2006. The initiative seeks to tackle illegal activity and unfair competition in the sector, where around 60% of guides operate without accreditation due to the lack of inspections and examinations.
The move has generated controversy, with a private association arguing it could devalue the profession, while the Official College of Tourist Guides disagrees. Oliver praised the Consell for taking action but also stressed that these exams should be held annually as required by law.
Interview on IB3 a la Carta, Mallorca's top radio station
I had the pleasure of participating in an interview on IB3 a la Carta, the most listened-to radio station in all of Mallorca, with host Araceli Bosch.
We discussed key topics such as the requirements to be a good tour guide, how the new season is shaping up and the new types of tourists visiting us, the challenges we are currently facing, and the collective effort to improve the quality of our destination in all aspects. If you're interested in tourism and the work behind improving the sector, you can listen to the interview starting at minute 2:30.
A conversation about the future of tourism
Here’s a recent interview of mine published on arabalears.cat, where I speak openly about the current state of tourism in Mallorca and the challenges we face as a destination. I share my perspective as a professional guide and as President of the Official Association of Tourist Guides of the Balearic Islands, touching on issues such as the lack of regulation, the evolution of visitor profiles, and the need to move toward a more balanced and responsible model.
I invite you to read it to better understand why I believe Mallorca must embrace a more conscious approach to tourism, and how we can reshape the industry so that residents, businesses and visitors all benefit.
“Licensed Tourist Guides Welcome Increased Inspections in Mallorca” – IB3 News
Qualified tourist guides in Mallorca have welcomed the introduction of stronger inspections aimed at tackling unlicensed guiding and protecting professional standards.
After years of requests from the sector, more than 50 inspections have been carried out at key sites in Palma, resulting in 14 sanctions.
The initiative seeks to ensure that guided tours are conducted legally and professionally, while safeguarding the quality of Mallorca’s tourism offer for both visitors and residents.
The Future of Tourism in the Balearic Islands: Quality and Organization
As the President of the Tourist Guides Association, I believe we need to focus on organization rather than blaming saturation. By attracting premium tourists and promoting cultural tourism in the off-season, we can shift towards a more sustainable model.
Innovation is key. We must move beyond a volume-based tourism model and ensure that the economic benefits stay within our communities. Collaboration between the private sector, citizens, and institutions is essential.
Let’s work together to build a balanced and respectful future for tourism in the Balearic Islands.
"Tourist Guides: Key Drivers of Sustainable Tourism in the Balearic Islands"
Tourist guides play a crucial role in promoting sustainable destinations. Their direct interaction with visitors allows them to add value by introducing responsible practices and encouraging diversification and year-round tourism. By offering guided tours that focus on local gastronomy, cultural heritage, and natural landscapes, guides help attract respectful, high-quality tourists. Beyond simply providing information, they ensure the well-being of visitors, encourage respect for local norms, and promote authentic experiences. This article explores how tourist guides are key to managing tourism flows and fostering sustainability in the Balearic Islands.
The Hosteltur TV program has addressed this week the issue of tourismphobia in Mallorca.
Participating in this week's space were Javier Vich, president of the Palma Hotel Association, Joan Enric Capella, hotel consultant and university professor, author of the book 'Turisme o no turisme'; Pedro Oliver, tour guide; and Xavier Canalis, Hosteltur journalist and author of the book “Turisme i turistes. From l’hospitalitat to l’hostilitat”.
"Is tourismphobia a problem for the industry?: the case of Mallorca" by Hosteltur TV.
Tourismphobia in Mallorca, a destination that registers a significant arrival of tourists, especially in the summer, and in which it has been assessed on many occasions whether a situation of overtourism occurs. Furthermore, apparently, this year it will break its own visitor record, reaching 17 million throughout the Balearic archipelago, according to forecasts.
International Tourist Guide Day
Celebrating International Tourist Guide Day!
On the International Tourist Guide Day 21st of February , I had the privilege of being interviewed by the regional radio station of the Balearic Islands IB3. We delved into the excitement surrounding our celebrations and discussed the outlook for the upcoming tourist season. (listen to the interview after minute 1:00)