The Ibiza peak summer season is almost upon as we head towards July. It’s probably an age thing as the summer seems to be flying by but the word on the street isn’t as good as we were hoping for.
After a post pandemic boom, where travel was back with a bang and people grabbed it with both hands, 2022 and 2023 were record years for Ibiza but 2024 is proving a little more challenging. It’s not a chronic situation, more of a puzzling one. Flights coming in half empty, hotels busy only at weekends, the villa market struggling, property market static – lots of challenges are happening all over this island in 2024
Maybe we have become complacent but the big talking point as usual is has Ibiza out-priced itself? There’s a few answers to that one but perception and reality are 2 different things. The good news is that it’s still possible to come to Ibiza on a budget (low season, hostals, menu del dia etc) and have an incredible time but the reality is that if you want to live like a rockstar while you’re here then expect to pay accordingly. There is a choice to be made but at least there is a choice.
Throw into the mix some negative press headlines (nothing new there), high flight prices (especially at weekends), hotels holding their nerve with rates and, unlike other resorts, Ibiza in general doesn’t do discounts and tends to stick to its pricing policy. Many accommodation providers would rather their places stay empty than discount to a lower end of the market which brings problems and very little profit margin.
Keeping your powder dry for another day only works if that other day comes and that’s what is concerning Ibiza businesses in 2024. The summer madness will come but for how long? We are almost in July and the island isn’t as busy as we were expecting.
At times like these it’s important to remember the dynamic. Without tourism we are nothing. The radicals won’t like to hear it but it’s the truth. It’s easy to sneer at tourists even though the island relies on them but during these moments it’s more important than ever to appreciate them and treat them with a respect that most do but some don’t deserve.
It’s too easy to point the finger at a ‘certain type’ of tourism but other destinations are no different and in many ways, far worse. As locals there is tendency to roll your eyes at a group of tourists staggering down the street after a long day at a beach club or the morning after a big party. Offensive or abusive behaviour should never be tolerated but scowling at tourists for having a good time isn’t cool either.
As an Ibiza business community we all need to do our bit so next time you see a tourist acting a bit strange or behaving in a fashion that doesn’t fit in with your own, instead of tutting remind yourself that tourists coming to Ibiza and enjoying themselves is what the Island was built on and long may it continue.
A little humility goes a long way so instead of a physical shrug, give those tourists a virtual hug and be thankful that they chose to come to Ibiza. The island is still at the top of the tree and still the coolest destination on the planet but nothing should ever be taken for granted.
MAN IN SAN AN by Martin Makepeace 