Ordino Council Hits Midterm, Pushes Tech Diversification Amid Tourism Boom

Ordino's local council has reached the midpoint of its term, reviewing two years of progress on infrastructure and tourism while emphasizing the need to diversify the economy away from heavy reliance on construction and tourism.

Cònsol Major Maria del Mar Coma outlined these points in an interview with the Andorran News Agency. Achievements include approval of the new urban planning scheme (POUP), expansion of the water network, improvements to village centres, and new parking facilities at Prat de Call and Prat de Vilella. Tourism has seen record crowds, with 70,000 visitors to sites like the Ruta del Ferro and Arcalís over the summer.

Coma warned that construction now accounts for nearly all parish revenues, a vulnerability exposed by tourism's collapse during the pandemic. She called for new revenue streams from other sectors to ensure growth for local administrations. Technology stands out as an ideal option, she said, because it generates no pollution, draws skilled talent, and creates high added value. The national government is facilitating tech company relocations, and Coma described the cancelled Grífols project as a major setback. "It was not just the Grífols centre, but everything it would have brought—a magnet for other businesses," she noted.

Better resident communication is another priority. Coma admitted low attendance at village and neighbourhood meetings shows a need for more direct engagement. She proposed greater use of social media to explain council decisions clearly.

Ongoing infrastructure work covers La Clota Verda enhancements, refurbishment of La Cortinada's historic core, and maintenance at Ordino Sports Centre. Parking and green spaces at La Plana dels Camps are due for completion soon. The socio-health centre advances via public-private partnerships and government land transfers, with tender documents expected by 2027 to start construction. Coma stressed that the parish cannot build and manage such a facility alone, requiring private involvement.

Tourism challenges persist, including insufficient hotel beds outside peak seasons and difficulty attracting hikers year-round. The 2026 budget sets aside almost €4.7 million for investments, funded entirely from treasury reserves with no new borrowing. This fits a policy of financial prudence, keeping debt below legal limits and on a downward trend.

Priorities for the term's second half include completing the water network, village works, building upkeep—especially the sports centre—and unlocking heritage projects like Casa Rossell through government coordination.