Category: Local News

Ibiza tourist figures released this week revealed a few interesting stats for August 2017.

Hotel occupancy for August dropped 6 points to 86.87% (Airbnb? Unlicensed Villas?) yet Ibiza Airport continued to post record figures with 1,409,848 passengers arriving and departing during the island’s busiest month, a 6.7% rise year on year

Ibiza Airport Figures for August 2017

1. Spanish – 419,549, a fall of 2.6%
2. British – 400,722, a 6.7% rise and 28.4% of all arrivals breaking the 400K barrier for the first time ever
3. Italian – 217,822, an increase of 0.7%
4. German – 116,145 a fall of 5.7%
5. Dutch – 86,482 an increase of 7.8%
6. French – 65,074 an increase of +13.1%

Ibiza Airport Records Tumble

2016 Jan-Aug – 5,322,949 passengers
2017 Jan-Aug -5,680,475 passengers
36.4% Spanish an increase of 5.8%
25.7% British an increase of 10.5%

Emerging Markets

The Dutch market continues to boom with 70,000 more passengers so far this year, a massive increase of 22.3% from Jan-Aug while the Italian market has grown 6.1% with 697,627 passengers in the first 8 months of 2017.

Meanwhile German numbers continue to fall with a 4% decrease to 455,614: 20,000 less than 2016. If this trend continues then the Dutch market will overtake the German within the next 2 years

Sixth on the list is the French market which continues to grow although it is still a long way behind the others.  216,730 French passengers passed through the airport in the first 8 months of 2017, 11.2% more than in the same period of the previous year.  The best of the rest are much further behind: Switzerland, with just over 120,000 travellers in the first 8 months of 2017, while Belgium is approaching 100,000.

Russians and Americans

The much lauded Russian and North American markets only accounted for 2391 and 278 passengers respectively in August 2017 although many come via connecting flights from Madrid and Barcelona so will be included in the Spanish figures.

Source: Diario de Ibiza

Strange things are happening in San Antonio Town hall. Last week saw town planning councillor Juan Jose Ferrer resign after he was undermined and overruled by the deputy mayor making his position untenable.

Spanish local council elections work on proportional representation where political parties produce a list of candidates so after all votes are counted and divided by the number of seats available giving the number of votes required to obtain 1 seat. So for example: If the equation is that you need 400 votes to secure one seat then if your party gets 2000 votes then you get 5 seats.

All very straightforward you would think although many who appear on the candidates list have no intention of ever serving in a government for a myriad of reasons. Maybe they are a doctor or a teacher or a physio and don’t want to give up their profession and sit in a council office for 5 days a week getting ridiculed on social media. They are there only to give their support for the team they represent, cheerleaders if you will.

To refresh your memories, in the 2015 election no party won an outright majority of 11 seats in a 21 seat council. The results were as follows.

So the 3 smaller parties who won 13 seats between them joined forces in a coalition to form a government, very similar to what happened in the 2010 UK election where Conservative and Liberal got into bed together even though they had vastly different agendas.

Within a few days of the new governing forming the number 2 on the PSOE list, the charismatic Marco Guerrero, had been headhunted by the newly elected Balearic Government. Marco was one of the main reasons why many voted for PSOE in San Antonio but within days he was gone and replaced by Lorenzo Bustamente who’s like a wet weekend in Skegness by comparison.

Now back to Sr Ferrer. His little row with Deputy Mayor Pablo Valdes meant that he spat out his dummy and legged it so there’s now an empty place at the council top table. In accordance with protocol the position was offered to number 4 on the list, Paquito Fernandez, a popular local physiotherapist who didn’t fancy the job. Number 5 wasn’t interested either nor was number 6 so number 7 the polarising ex councillor and souvenir shop owner, Joan Torres has graciously accepted the place on the government team.

So what does all this mean? Probably nothing to most of you who couldn’t give a monkeys toss about small minded politics in Ibiza however these are the people deciding on the future of one of the most famous towns in tourism and they weren’t even the ones who were elected in the first place.

So next time your’e in San Antonio and you haven’t got a terrace to sit down on at 12.01am or you get harassed by a street seller or your pocket gets pinched at the bottom of the west end or you can’t get your rubbish in the skip because it’s overflowing then remember these people.

Some of them are there by default and are making decisions that affect residents and tourists on a daily basis. It’s called democracy but many in San Antonio are scratching their heads and wondering what crisis is coming next from the coalition council.

Life in IBIZA is never dull: at times amazing, at other times truly exasperating. They say that life is a journey so to celebrate my 200th BLOG and 26 years living and working on the island here are 200 REASONS that make Ibiza unique and one of the most talked about and special places in the world. Excuse the over indulgence and in no specific order:

1. Getting giddy on a full bottle of HIERBAS left on the table
2. Walking through the ALMOND BLOSSOM  in Santa Ines in January
3. Forcing down FLAO at the end of a typical meal
4. Eating BUÑOLES after the flao even though you’re full
5. Drinking FRIGOLA for medicinal purposes only
6. Seeing those humongous SUPER YACHTS in August
7. Spotting famous international footballers at CALA BASSA beach
8. Marvelling at SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH
9. Spotting elegant FLAMINGOES at Las Salinas SALT FLATS
10. Haggling at ES CANA HIPPY MARKET (and getting nowhere)
11. Drinking anything alcoholic in a local bar with OLD PAYESES
12. Snorkelling at ATLANTIS
13. Listening to sunset tunes at CAFE DEL MAR
14. Walking down CALLE DE LA VIRGEN in the height of summer
15. Drinking a fruity GnT at CAFE MAMBO/MINT LOUNGE
16. Jumping off the rocks at CALA SALADA
17. Eating tortilla at CAN COSMI, Santa Ines
18. Walking up to ES BROLL waterfall
19. Burning your mouth on a delicious plate of ARROZ DE MATANZA
20. Driving on EMPTY ROADS in January
21. Being stuffed after eating a large plate SOFRIT PAGES
22. Swimming at ES VEDRA
23. Scratching your head at the latest POLITICAL nonsense
24. Listening to drums at BENIRRAS and feeling good to be alive
25. Wandering down the restaurant street in SANTA EUALIA
26. Whizzing down the Foam at AGUAMAR
27. Drinking champagne at OCEAN BEACH
28. Enjoying a boozy night out with friends in the WEST END
29. Seeing a TRANSVESTITE in Ibiza Town for the 1st time
30. Meeting OLD FRIENDS and realising that you’re still the same (just a few more wrinkles)
31. Watching a SEPTUAGENARIAN dancing at a super club
32. Drinking rum and coke in the sunshine on SPACE TERRACE
33. Ignoring a FAMOUS DJ at the airport
34. Walking along the sand and looking at the ‘sights’ ES CAVALLET BEACH
35. Ignoring a BEACH SELLER who just woke you up.
36. Watching the sun set over CONILLERA
37. Drinking a mojito on the boat served by MOJITOMAN
38. Eating a juicy steak at CAN PILOT, San Rafael
39. Taking friends to SA CAPELLA for the first time
40. Trying not to be excessive in the SUMMER and failing miserably
41. Taking GO-PRO photos purely to p**s off your mates
42. Wandering around looking at the BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
43. Checking-in to a beach club on FACEBOOK when it’s raining back ‘home’
44. Waving goodbye to PRINCE ABDUL AZZIZ
45. Sipping overpriced drinks at BLUE MARLIN and loving every second of it
46. Playing for IBIZA CRICKET CLUB in the October sunshine
47. Having 1 more when you you’ve got the SCHOOL RUN in 4 hours
48. Being amazed at how amazing ES PARADIS is
49. Sitting on a bench and people watching in VARA DE REY, Ibiza Town
50. Dancing in PACHA VIP and seeing an A-lister on the next table
51. Buying a pair of sh*t sunglasses from a LOOKY LOOKY and instantly regretting it
52. Eating TRADITIONAL FOOD in a neighbours garage on a wet winter Sunday
53. Having a stand up row with a TAXI driver
54. Drinking shots with Julian at 3am in SOUL CITY
55. Walking on the white sand at CALA CONTA beach
56. Eating Nasi Goreng with a hangover at RITA’S CANTINA
57. Going to BENIMUSSA PARK (home of the Zoo Project), Ibiza’s most original venue
58. Eating tapas served with a scowl at RINCON DE PEPE
59. Smelling fresh oven bakes at CROISSANT SHOW
60. Drinking VINO PAYES in the winter and waking up with a very thick head
61. Watching the DANCING FOUNTAINS in San Antonio
62. Driving to PORTINATX, revelling in its beauty then not going back for 10 years
63. Having tapas at BAR COSTA in the square at SANTA GERTRUDIS
64. Watching IBIZA RUGBY CLUB at Can Misses and wincing at the tackles
65. Cycling to CAN TIXEDO in BUSCATELL for a healthy vegan lunch
66. Walking the dog from LAS SALINAS to the watch tower at the most southerly part of the island.
67. Taking the fast ferry to FORMENTERA in the spring/autumn
68. Abusing Andy’s famous hospitality at PLASTIK
69. Drinking and eating with the FRIDAY LADS in winter and only spending 10 euros
70. Putting the BOAT back in the water in May
71. Buying a drink at a SUPER CLUB and saying “sorry, how much did you say?”
72. Struggling to pay the bills in FEBRUARY then having a walk in the sunshine and realising it’s all worth it
73. Watching SAN ANTONIO UNDER 10’s and realising that England will never win another world cup
74. Having 40 minutes of pure exhilaration on TWISTER/JET360
75. Listening to your children SPEAK FLUENT SPANISH to their friends
76. Having LONG WINTER LUNCHES that go on for hours
77. Walking round the ghost town that is PLAYA D’EN BOSSA in winter
78. Going to USHUAIA for the 1st time, world class
79. Making excuses to go to Ibiza Rocks because you’re a secret CRAIG DAVID fan
80. Flying on the first international RYANAIR flight of the summer
81. Flying on last international RYANAIR flight of the summer
82. Walking the dog from CALA CONTA to the watch tower and not seeing another soul
83. Picking up friends at the AIRPORT and having to drive round the block 3 times
84. Bumping into the ‘old’ THOMSON AIRPORT GIRLS, and catching up with the gossip
85. Cycling from LA SAVINA to San Francisco in the Spring
86. Reading IBIZA WINTER RESIDENTS on Facebook, Ibiza is full of the weird and wonderful
87. Getting irate when your VISITING FRIENDS eat you out of house and home
88. Eating lobster paella washed down with cava sangria at CALA BASSA BEACH CLUB
89. Watching LIVE MUSIC in a local bar drinking a €1.20 caña
90. Going to LIO every 2 years then showing everyone the bill
91. Eating a FISH GRILL on wooden chairs listening to waves at CAN PUJOL
92. Meeting friends for weekend bruch at the MONTESOL
93. Browsing the XMAS MARKET in Vara de Rey, Ibiza Town
94. Being able to PARK your car in the winter
95. Getting that first SUNBURN of the year because you’re out of practice
96. Attempting to SPEAK IBICENCO after a few too many
97. Lamenting the GOATS every time you pass Es Vedra
98. Enjoying a peaceful lunch in the square at SAN FRANCISCO, Formentera
99. Walking to PUNTA GALERA with the dog so you can both have a swim
100. Spotting magnificent DOLPHINS in Ibiza waters
101. Enjoying CARNIVAL time when the whole island comes out to play
102. Taking your kids on the MINI TRAIN
103. Snorkelling and looking for octopus at CALA GRACIONETA
104. Drinking CAFE CALETA whilst gazing at Es Vedra at ES BOLDADO
105. Playing GOLF in the twilight at ROCA LLISA
106. Going out for a QUICK DRINK and getting back at 7am
107. Putting your FEET UP with a GnT at sunset
108. Dressing up for the best HALLOWEEN parties in the world knowing it’s a bank holiday in the morning
109. Eating a delicious 3 course MENU DEL DIA for less than a tenner
110. Perusing the flea market behind the church in SAN FRANCISCO, Formentera
111. Walking up to the cathedral at D’ALT VILA on a sunny winters day
112. Having Sunday lunch at PIKES then it all going wrong
113. Loving the 1st of SEPTEMBER
114. Watching the CHRISTMAS TREE lights being switched on
115. Eating GRAPES on the chimes on New Years Eve
116. Walking from Cafe Sydney to the lighthouse at MARINA BOTAFOCH
117. Picking the bones out of a delicious BULLIT DE PEIX at Cala Mastella
118. Savouring a glass of LOCAL VINO and a slice of bread and SOBRASADA for 2 euros
119. Cycling with a thousand others in the PORQUET charity ride in March
120. Enjoying 14 BANK HOLIDAYS every year
121. Being SURPRISED/AMAZED/INFURIATED with the island on a daily basis
122. Passing the WALK OF SHAMERS in San Antonio on the school run
123. Watching English movies at CINE REGIO, San Antonio
124. Having a cool dip in the crystal clear MEDITERRANEAN SEA
125. Trying to stay awake to see the SUNRISE at BORA BORA
126. WATERSKIING on a flat sea on a fresh December morning
127. Taking a long SIESTA, it’s tradition after all
128. Touring the CAN RICH vineyard on the outskirts of San Antonio
129. Going bananas on the BANANA, Cala Bassa
130. Drinking Bloody Mary’s at COTTON CLUB, Cala Tarida
131. Being invited to a ‘DRINK ON THE HOUSE’ after a good meal (see point 1)
132. Indulging in a spa day at ATZARO or HACIENDA NA XAMENA
133. Buying a fresh T-bone steak directly from CARNES MARCH in San Lorenzo
134. Risking your life on the GO-KARTS
135. Savouring a scrumptious Sunday lunch at RELISH
136. Trying to remember those lost nights at the MANUMISSION MOTEL
137. Trying to remember those lost days at the CLOCKWORK ORANGE villa
138. Watching JASON BYE play the classics at MAMBO
139. Dancing to 80’s music at CHILDREN OF THE 80’S at the HARD ROCK HOTEL
140. Having a kids party on the BEACH in winter
141. Eating spicy food at CASA THAI San Antonio
142. Getting drenched in the GOTA FRIA rainstorms in September/October
143. Picking up sweets at the KINGS DAY procession in Ibiza town
144. Buying TRADITIONAL TILES from the family run outlets on the Santa Eulalia road
145. Listening to DOGS barking at all hours in the campo
146. Watching Jim make an incredible GnT at PARADISE LOST BAR in D’alt Vila
147. Begging your FRIENDS to come over in the winter…then they come in August
148. Eating too many of Cati’s tasty tapas at BAR VEDRANE
149. Seeing those gigantic BILLBOARDS with the worlds best clubs and DJ’s
150. Watching BARÇA v REAL MADRID in a local bar
151. Having a long lunch at TROPICANA on CALA JONDAL beach
152. Spraining your neck on the BUMPER CARS after plenty of mojitos
153. Finding out that 2 of your good ibicenco friends are actually SIBLINGS
154. Having a selfie with WAYNE LINEKER – the self proclaimed king of selfies
155. Going to a GYPSY WEDDING and having your shirt ripped off
156. Knowing lots of people who have won the LOTTERY
157. Being frustrated that the island closes down for 5 days over EASTER
158. Immersing yourself in LAS DALIAS Market in SAN CARLOS
159. Berating MALLORCA at every given opportunity
160. Watching the hooded religious gathering on GOOD FRIDAY at D’alt Vila
161. Looking for a 2nd hand bargain at The HIPPODROME at SANT JORDI
162. Losing your temper in AUGUST on an hourly basis
163. Pausing at the 1972 air crash monument whilst climbing SA TALAIA
164. Listening to Ibiza SONICA on your car radio
165. Being referred to as a GUIRI by the locals
166. Spotting Z-LISTERS hustling for drinks at a beach club
167. Friends NOT telling you the details about their NEW BUSINESS because it’s all ‘hush-hush’
168. Eating your own body weight in meat at CA’S PAGÈS San Carlos
169. Doing the Conga around BESO BEACH after a long boozy lunch
170. Being full of optimism in APRIL
171. Being totally knackered in OCTOBER
172. Eating delicious HOMEMADE ICE CREAM on a warm summers night
173. Stumbling across some of the most beautiful CHURCHES in the world
174. Having a picnic at ES PORTIXOL, probably the most secluded bay in Ibiza
175. Fishing for ‘RAONES’ on 1 September
176. The kids going back to school in September after 80 DAYS off for summer
177. Reading the TABLOIDS ‘reporting’ on Ibiza knowing that most of it is rubbish
178. Sitting next to the statue of ISIDORO MACABICH in the old town, peaceful
179. Queueing up with all your PAPERWORK knowing that you’ve forgotten something
180. Eating the freshest fish at the FISH SHACK in Talamanca
181. Walking from SIESTA, over the bridge and into SANTA EULALIA
182. Watching a chukka at Ibiza Polo Club in SAN LORENZO
183. Dancing under the stars at PRIVILEGE, the biggest club in the world
184. Singing KARAOKE with Sunny in a bathtub full of balls at Pikes
185. Listening to some of the best rock bands in the world at IBIZA ROCKS
186. Eating delicious food in the garden at ‘TAPAS’ in San Antonio
187. Remembering all the GOOD FRIENDS from the island that you’ve lost along the way
188. Having a drink poolside at ES VIVE whilst getting nostalgic with Jason
189. Listening to all different languages in IBIZA TOWN, a truly international destination
190. Dropping anchor in the clearest water your will ever see at ES PALMADOR
191. Throwing bread to the DUCKS on the river in Santa Eulalia
192. Having an expensive lunch at JUAN Y ANDREA and remembering when it used to be a shack on the beach
193. Chatting about San Antonio with the owner JAVIER ANADON Mambo  whilst the worlds best DJ’s play in the background
194. Browsing round the unique shops in IBIZA TOWN
195. Eating a delicious PIZZA at Davids, Mint or Es Verge
196. Dressing up for San Antonio’s massive FLOWER POWER PARTY in January, the town’s biggest party of the year
197. Discovering the Caves at PORT SAN MIGUEL
198. Waiting for hours to get your car inspected at the ITV garage
199. Witnessing first hand the ISLAND constantly evolve and change
200. Constantly talking about ‘BACK IN THE DAY‘ with a knowing smile on your face

With special thanks to everyone mentioned in the list and many more who weren’t. Please let me know your special reasons or if you think I have missed anything.

#VIVAIBIZA #200REASONS

Ibiza and drugs is inextricably linked from the hedonism of the late 60’s and 70’s to the Ecstasy rave generation and acid house of the 80’s and 90’s through to the designer drugs of today but the other side of the smiley face culture has been revealed in a new study charting the recent drug-related fatalities on the White Isle.

From 2010 to 2016 there were 58 recorded deaths due to drugs. Of these 36% were British, 22.4% were Spanish, 6.9% were Italian and 5.2% were German.

The research, prepared by London based Italian psychiatrist Rita Santacroce (@ritasan82) was presented last April at a congress in Florence and offers an analysis of the deceased, either directly or indirectly, by the consumption of narcotic drugs.

The study also revealed that at 87.9% men are by far the main victims as a result of illegal substance use while only 12.1% were women.

The research also highlighted that the average age of the deceased was 33 years although women were generally younger than men.

The study also describes the type of drugs taken by these 58 fatalities: 31% had used MDMA and 26% had cocaine.

Source: Diario de Ibiza

It’s time once again to say goodbye to the madness of August in Ibiza and reflect on the longest month of the season.

September is a busy month in it’s own right with closing parties galore but the difference from August is palpable. For many, September is the best month of the year: the days get shorter, the weather gets cooler and for those living and working on the island the money is in the bank so it’s time to relax and enjoy what’s left of the summer.

For an island that relies exclusively on tourism what is always surprising is how ill equipped Ibiza is for the peak season: the collapse of refuse collection, the traffic, the roads that are a daily deathtrap, impatient taxi drivers that bully anyone that dares to get in their way and lets not even mention the overcrowded beaches and beach clubs….

The internet inquests on the inefficiency of Ibiza have already started and the debate will be vociferous yet in a few weeks it will be confined to memory as the island starts to soothe itself and get back to normal (well as normal as Ibiza can be). The debate always comes to a crescendo when the island is full to capacity which is only for about 10% of the year.

August 2017 may well be remembered as a pivotal time in our Island’s history. The time that our greatest commodity became our greatest enemy.  How and why did tourism become such a dirty word?

When the whole system is failing you have to find someone or something to blame so instead of blaming the self interested politicians, the cartels that control the hotels and transport with a mafia like grip and a paper heavy, deeply regulated system that is so antiquated that it takes months or even years to get anything done you turn your attention to those that are easiest to blame. Those that come to the island and spend their hard earned money in search of fun and sunshine.

2 years on from the arrival of the unfair and unjust ecotax the latest ‘initiative’ by the Balearic government in Palma is for a proposed cap on tourism numbers and the forming of designated tourist areas but in the meantime all new licences and applications for legal accommodation has been frozen for 12 months while everything is reviewed. This decision comes after an explosion in booking sites like Airbnb and has been criticised by business leaders and major tour operators.

The Balearic government’s plan to limit the tourist numbers presumably doesn’t involve limiting the number of incoming flights? That would be very difficult under the EU’s freedom of movement law.

The Spanish airports operator AENA figures show that there are more flights than ever coming into the Balearic Islands which means that more beds and services are needed. It’s a simple equation but if the masterplan is just to turn off the supply tap then there can only be conflict and strife ahead as the sums suddenly don’t add up. It’s also easy to assume that more businesses will be driven underground leaving legitimate businesses to prop up the shortfall in taxes.

All in all it’s a bit of a mess with everything put on hold for a year. Who knows what will happen in 2018 with these big changes looming but with elections in 2019 everything could change once again. Oh joy.

All the while, Ibiza will start the recovery process of healing itself. The rubbish will get taken away, the roads will become less hazardous, the beaches will start to have gaps in the sand and in less than 10 weeks the international flights will cease to operate. Too much in the summer, too little in the winter, the Island is always extreme.

Goodbye angry August, hello happy September!

There’s trouble brewing at San Antonio Town Hall after socialist Mayor Jose Tur signed a decree removing all powers from Councillor Juan Jose Ferrer who was responsible for town planning.

Rumours of a rift within the coalition government team first surfaced last week with reports of a stand up public row between Ferrer and Deputy Mayor Pablo Valdes.

The row was about the implementation of the new laws regarding the removal of terraces in San Antonio with Ferrer in favour of a phased in approach while Valdes and Aida Alcaraz, (Councillor for security) wanted a hardline approach.

Now that Sr. Ferrer has been removed from the government team it remains to be seen whether the other 2 members of his own PI political party will stay in their jobs. If they don’t then there could be a crisis as the 2 remaining political parties, PSOE and Reinicia, would only have 10 seats between them on the 21 seat council. Watch this space!

Peak season in Ibiza is always testing. Traffic is backed up and every bar, restaurant and corner of the island is full. For those living and working on the White Isle it’s a tough time of the summer but even though the island relies exclusively on tourism it’s become fashionable to bite the hand that feeds.

As other destinations such as Barcelona and Mallorca have also found out, there’s now a residents backlash against the very commodity that has made them rich beyond its wildest dreams.

The keyboard warriors, for so long a lone, bitter voice in some faraway local bar are becoming more and more venomous in their denoucements of the travellers who fill the islands pockets. Many locals can’t even be bothered to form a counter argument because they will be shot down by those fanning the anti-tourist flames.

Here’s the key question: Which industry in Ibiza doesn’t rely on tourism? All roads lead back to the T-Word so let’s put the 3 main cyber-bully myths to bed.

1. WE WANT BETTER TOURISTS

Better is what exactly? Wealthier? Families? Calmer? As anyone who has worked in the VIP section of a club will tell you, wealth doesn’t necessarily bring class, so a wealthier clientele doesn’t guarantee anything (apart from more complaints) and have you seen the hotels in San An? As for families, they only come over for 10 weeks a year so what about the other 4 months? Calmer: Have you been to Lanzarote?

2. TOURISTS SHOULD BEHAVE THEMSELVES

Yes they should but when youngsters barely out of school are encouraged to drink by airports and airlines then left to their own devices on arrival with little to zero police presence you can’t blame them for pushing the boundaries more than they should. No control equals exactly that and leads to no respect. Other tourist destinations enforce laws which would be a novelty to some parts of the island where town halls are more focussed on fining local businesses than law and order on the streets. A young shirtless British tourist isn’t the symbol of everything that is wrong with the island (it’s nearly 40 degrees after all) and we should be thankful that Ibiza still manages to attract mass tourism. By the way have you seen the rowdy young Spanish locals on Saturday nights drinking and littering the town’s car parks. Not every problem lies at the door of the tourist.

3. THE ISLAND IS ALMOST FULL, WHY ARE THEY LETTING IN MORE PEOPLE?

It’s a free county and freedom of movement is one of the key principals of the European Union. The amount of private properties available for rental (illegal or not) has driven demand for the low cost airlines to put on more capacity plus the island council aren’t going to limit numbers as this goes against the very ethos of tourism and let’s face facts: The peak season only lasts for 4 weeks (21 Jul-18 Aug) then it’s back to relative normality, whatever that may be.

So, although it can be difficult at times, let’s try and be more tolerant to our visitors even if they don’t always appear to deserve it. Give them the benefit of the doubt, they might surprise you plus they are spending their hard earned cash on an island we are lucky enough to call home.

Tourists and tourism aren’t dirty words and next time you feel yourself scowling at a tourist who had the audacity to choose Ibiza as his or her summer destination try and turn it into a smile. It’s the islands privilege to welcome them and as other destinations have found to their cost, there is no guarantee that they will always be there.

Ibiza Beach clubs continue to divide opinion amongst residents and tourists. Many play by the rules but some like to push the boundaries.

Last week Cathy Guetta's new 'Bagatelle Beach Club' at Cala Moli hit the headlines when her lawyer threatened to file a complaint to the French consulate after San Jose local police had the audacity to shut off the music for an hour on Bastille day whilst they performed acoustic tests.

This was after they had received a complaint from a neighbour about the excessive noise coming from the beach venue as French VIPs celebrated their national day on 14 July.  San Jose council have opened a file on the complaint and the beach club is now looking at a 12000 euros fine. A French farce indeed.

Deeva Beach at Port d'es Torrent, another San Jose establishment has also been in the news this week when a resident complained of the growing number of beach beds limiting space on the sand for those not wanting to pay large sums of money to be on a publich beach. The complainant counted 220 sun beds and 60 umbrellas even though the beach concession has a licence for 68 and 34 respectively.

Deeva Beach replaced Imagine Restaurant which was very popular with locals and is owned and operated by the Cala Bassa Beach Club Group. Local residents are feeling more and more marginalised by beach clubs taking over the sand.

The pressure is on San Jose council to clean up its act with regards to beach clubs as the local population (and therefore voters) are growing more and more restless with blatant law breaking on a daily basis.

The council recently announced a new law that will be in place for summer 2018 limiting music to 65 decibels which is comparable to a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer. Let's see how that goes……

NOTE: On 01 August 2017 (after this article was written) it was reported in the local press that DEEVA Beach had been inspected and that it complied with all the appropriate licences.

Source: Periódico de Ibiza/Diario de Ibiza

The Ibiza press has been full of stories and opinions this week about high hotel prices, the lack of tourists in local bars/restaurants and all while the airport is continually posting record figures. It's hard to see how the the 3 things aren't related.

The profile of a 'holiday' has dramatically changed over the last few years. Low cost carriers like Ryanair (which is Spains biggest airline btw) plus the big hotel booking websites means that travel agents are no longer required for a quick weekend away on the White Isle and your credit card is burning a hole in your pocket. The results are clear to see: Busy weekends and little else. Fine if you live in a 52 week resort but not so good if you have 100 days to make your money and survive until next May.

As Ibiza prices continue to rise to ludicrous levels many hotels have changed their strategy by becoming 'Adults-Only' targeting the 'Dinkys'. DINK stands for Double Income No Kids (obviously), these are the people who have a decent annual income and love to flash the cash on expensive weekends away where their social media timeline will get as much a hammering as their wallet.

This type of tourism led to Playa d'en Bossa sounding the death knell for the traditional Ibiza family holiday when 'Fiestalandia' gradually became 'Ushuaia-landia' transforming from a paradise resort for families to a paradise playground for adults. It's 2 mile strip full of beach clubs, hotels, bars and a couple of world class clubs means its now referred to in the same breath as Las Vegas and the analogy isn't far wrong with only the creaking waterpark left as a monument to a bygone family-friendly era.

Even Portinatx, that bastion of family values and for many years a Thomson Holidays (remember them?) stronghold will soon have only 1 hotel offering places for kids, the others have changed into yellow-toweled hotel/clubs offering beach beds and mojitos to those who want to experience the real Ibiza (i.e. not go to San An or Bossa).

The new Ibiza only allows for kids in certain areas such as Port des Torrent or Cala Tarida or Cala San Vicente, well out of the way in all-inclusive hotels where they can be controlled and drink sugary refreshments to the their hearts content. Ibiza's towns and ports are now reserved exclusively for those that can afford a weekend away and the inflated prices that comes with it.

With Spain's most expensive hotel rooms Ibiza now has a reputation for its prices rather than its beauty and with this short term, purely profit driven strategy its difficult to see the bubble not bursting. History has shown that what goes up must come down but in the meantime lets hope that the next 2 generations of potential Ibiza lovers haven't been disenfranchised so much that they decide to permanently take their valuable business elsewhere. Children tend to have long memories.

No long term strategy to respect and retain your core market can only lead to big problems and as Abraham Lincoln famously said: You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Or as one experienced commentator recently summed up the Ibiza of 2017: Caviar today, hard bread tomorrow.

 

You may arrive on the island because of its hedonistic reputation but you will leave in awe of its natural beauty and splendour.

Here are 7 NATURAL WONDER OF IBIZA that shouldn't be missed whilst on the White Isle no matter what time of the year you visit.

1. ATLANTIS
This cove on the south west coast can only be accessed by boat or a white knuckle walk down the mountainside. The large M-shapedarches, the cut rock (quarried in past times) and the azure blue pools means it wasn't a wasted journey, relax and enjoy the ambience and get your energy levels up for the return walk uphill. MYTHICAL

2. BEACHES

Ibiza's white sandy 'playas' leave an indelible mark on the soul especially during winter time when you will probably be the only person there. The clubs are where you find the fun but it's the beaches where you will fall in love. BEAUTIFUL

3. BENIRRAS FINGEROn an island full of symbolism this large rock emerging from the sea at the entrance of one of the island's iconic bays is in many ways a monument to Ibiza of a bygone era, a place full of hippies and free love, as far away from the VIP wannabes as you could possibly be. Sunday sunsets with drums and dancing is when the real action goes down and needs to be seen at least once in your lifetime. AUTHENTIC

4. ES VEDRA
The rocky island of Es Vedra (and its smaller sibling Es Vedranell) is arguably Ibiza's most famous landmark.  Stretching a quarter of a mile in to the sky it's an inspiring place with its sheer size and distinctive colourings and formation. Unfortunately the goats are gone but the magic is still there. Known to move adults to a blubbering mess this is the place to go to find the inner you.  SPIRITUAL

5. LAS SALINAS SALT FLATSLas Salinas is now associated solely with the famous beach but only a short time ago it was the industrial hub of the island, gathering and preparing salt for export. The salt flats have been in constant use for over 2000 years and you can still see the mountains of white sodium chloride from the roadside.  A little further down the road is the old train station previously used for transporting the white gold. NATURAL

6. SA TALAIA
Ibiza's highest point is a special and serene place. Follow the signposts from San Jose and after a steep walk the whole island will open in front of you. Whilst those below scurry around like hyperactive ants you can discover for yourself the true meaning of the White Isle. Also look out for the memorial to the 1972 plane crash where 104 souls lost their lives. BREATHTAKING

7. SUNSETS
The list wouldn't be complete without mentioning this iconic west coast daily ritual. 300 days of sunshine every year means that the sun will disappear 'into' the sea more than 80% of the time and that's a decent average. Whether it's the best sunset in the world is open to debate but there's no doubting it's the most famous and every single one is different. WONDERFUL

All pics my own except Salt Flats (unknown) and Sa Talaia courtesy of Anthony McDowell. Underwater header taken just south of Atlantis.