This official statement addresses the recent public discussion following an article by Diario de Mallorca about drone footage allegedly recorded without the required authorisation in protected natural areas of Mallorca. The statement is issued by David Alexander Behnk in his role as owner of the Mallorcard brand and clarifies Mallorcard’s involvement, our position on responsible content and the steps we will take for future social media collaborations.
Following the article published by Diario de Mallorca on 24 April 2026 regarding the increased publication of unauthorised activities in protected natural areas of Mallorca, we would like to issue an official statement.
The article refers to concerns raised by the environmental organisation GOB Mallorca about drone footage and other activities allegedly recorded in protected natural spaces without the required authorisation. In this context, Instagram accounts including davidjoerg and mallorcaofficial were mentioned.
We understand the seriousness of this topic and want to clarify our role transparently.
Our role in this case
- Mallorcard did not record the drone footage.
- Mallorcard did not plan the drone flights.
- Mallorcard did not commission the videos.
- Mallorcard did not apply for or manage any drone flight permissions.
Our Instagram account @mallorcaofficial was invited as a collaboration account by the account @davidjoerg. This means that the videos appeared on Instagram in connection with our account through the collaboration function.
At the time we accepted the collaboration request, we were not aware that the necessary authorisation for the drone footage may not have been available.
However, we also have to acknowledge that we did not proactively ask for proof of authorisation before accepting the collaboration. That was a mistake on our side.
As soon as we became aware of the situation and the public discussion around the videos, we removed the collaboration from our account immediately.
We regret this situation
We sincerely regret that our account appeared in connection with content where the permission situation was unclear.
This was not intentional.
It does not reflect our standards.
It does not reflect how we want Mallorcard to represent Mallorca.
We understand that a collaboration tag on social media can create the impression of approval or endorsement. Even if we were not involved in producing the content, the visibility of our account can still be perceived as support for the publication.
That is why we take responsibility for the part that concerns us: we should have checked more carefully before accepting the collaboration.
We were not aware, but we should have asked
It is important for us to be clear and honest.
We were not aware that the required permission may not have been in place.
At the same time, not knowing is not enough when content involves protected natural areas, drone footage or sensitive locations.
In the future, we will not rely only on the assumption that external creators have handled all legal requirements correctly. Before accepting collaborations or sharing content that involves drone footage, nature reserves, protected landscapes or sensitive areas, we will ask more clearly whether the necessary permissions exist.
This applies to Instagram collaborations, social media posts, website publications, blog content and any other form of public visibility connected to Mallorcard.
Mallorca must be shown with respect
Mallorcard exists because we love Mallorca.
We promote the island every day through travel tips, local recommendations, hotels, restaurants, activities, beaches, car rental offers, events and experiences. Our goal is to help visitors discover Mallorca in a useful, inspiring and responsible way.
But loving Mallorca also means respecting Mallorca.
The island is not only a holiday destination. It is home to local communities, protected landscapes, fragile ecosystems, wildlife, cultural heritage and natural spaces that need care.
The rules that protect these places exist for a reason.
They are not obstacles to content creation. They are necessary protections for the island.
Beautiful images, viral videos and social media reach must never be more important than respecting the rules of Mallorca.
Protected natural areas are not just content locations
Mallorca has exceptional natural areas, including the Serra de Tramuntana, wetlands, coastal reserves, mountain landscapes, natural parks and sensitive habitats.
These places are beautiful, but they are also vulnerable.
Drone flights can disturb birds and wildlife, especially in breeding areas or protected habitats. They can also create safety risks, affect other visitors and encourage more people to copy the same behaviour without understanding the legal framework.
This is why protected areas often have stricter rules.
A video may look harmless online, but the impact behind it can be more complex. Especially when the content reaches a large audience, it can normalise behaviour that should not be repeated without permission.
As a Mallorca focused platform with a large community, we understand that our visibility carries responsibility.
Our position on drone footage
Mallorcard only supports drone footage when it is created legally, responsibly and with the necessary authorisations.
This includes compliance with aviation rules, environmental regulations, local restrictions and any special requirements for protected or sensitive natural areas.
Creators who use drones in Mallorca should always check in advance whether the location allows drone flights, whether special permission is needed and whether the content is suitable for public promotion.
This is especially important when the content is intended for commercial use, social media visibility, tourism promotion or collaboration with platforms such as Mallorcard.es
We do not want to benefit from content that may have been created without the required permission.
What we will change in the future
We will improve our internal review process for all future collaborations involving drone footage or sensitive natural locations.
Before accepting or publishing similar content, we will pay closer attention to the following points:
- Whether the footage was recorded in a protected natural area.
- Whether drone flights are allowed at the location.
- Whether the creator can confirm that the necessary authorisation exists.
- Whether the content could encourage irresponsible behaviour.
- Whether the publication aligns with responsible tourism and environmental protection.
- Whether the collaboration is appropriate for Mallorcard as a platform that represents Mallorca to a large audience.
This will apply not only to Instagram collaboration requests, but also to content used on our website, in blog articles, in social media posts, in videos and in any promotional material connected to Mallorcard.
A personal statement from us
- Mallorca is at the heart of our work.
We have built Mallorcard around this island, its people, its places and its tourism community. Every day we connect travellers with local businesses, experiences, restaurants, hotels, car rental partners, activities and authentic recommendations.
- That also means we have a duty to act carefully.
We do not want to be part of content that harms Mallorca, disrespects its rules or creates the wrong example for visitors and content creators.
- We are for Mallorca.
And being for Mallorca means being for responsible tourism, for environmental protection and for respecting the rules that protect the island.
We believe that tourism, content creation and nature protection must work together. Mallorca can only remain attractive, beautiful and liveable if visitors, companies, influencers and platforms respect the island and its limits.
Our message to creators and partners
We ask all creators, photographers, drone operators and tourism partners to take the rules seriously.
Before recording drone footage in Mallorca, especially in natural parks, coastal areas, mountain landscapes or protected zones, please check the legal requirements carefully.
- If permission is needed, obtain it before recording.
- If the location is sensitive, think carefully about whether the content should be created at all.
- If the footage is intended for social media promotion or commercial visibility, the responsibility is even greater.
Social media has power. A single video can inspire thousands of people. That influence should be used carefully.
Our message to the Mallorcard community
To our community, we want to say clearly:
- We will continue to show the beauty of Mallorca.
- We will continue to support local businesses, responsible tourism and high quality recommendations across the island.
- But we will also be more careful with the content we accept, share or publish.
- If we make a mistake, we will address it openly.
In this case, we removed the collaboration immediately after becoming aware of the issue. We regret that the collaboration was accepted without asking more carefully about the authorisation situation and we will improve this process going forward.
Conclusion
Mallorcard was not involved in recording, planning or authorising the drone footage mentioned in the Diario de Mallorca article.
Our account @mallorcaofficial was invited as a collaboration account by “davidjoerg” and at the time of accepting the request, we were not aware that the required permission may not have been available.
However, we recognise that we should have proactively asked for confirmation before accepting the collaboration. That was a mistake, and we regret it.
We have removed the collaboration and will review similar requests much more carefully in the future.
Mallorcard stands for Mallorca, for responsible tourism and for the respectful promotion of the island. We will continue to show Mallorca with pride, but also with the responsibility that this island deserves. Through mallorcard.es we want to support visitors, local partners and the wider Mallorca community in a way that respects the island, its nature and its rules.