When the Party’s Over: Ibiza

Ninety-one miles off the southern coast of Spain is a picturesque island known worldwide for its turquoise waters, rich cultural heritage and more recently, luxury tourism. However, beyond the superyachts and DJ booths lies an unfortunate story about the reality of life on the Island of Ibiza. 

First Impressions

I visited recently during the more economical off-season and experienced both sides of the island. 

On one hand, the beaches were nearly empty, the water was clear enough to see the sea floor, and I had some of the best seafood I’ve eaten in Europe. 

But just walking from the airport to the main town meant passing through areas that looked nearly abandoned; destroyed pavement, empty and overgrown lots full of trash, even burned-out shells of buildings. 

It felt like walking through a place where a colossal party just ended, but the party had actually ended over six months prior, when the nightclubs and shops closed up for the season. 

Statistics

This double-sided reality isn’t just my impression, it’s backed by numbers. Ibiza, along with the rest of the nearby Balearic Islands, depends on tourism for around 45% of its GDP, and during the summer, that economy explodes. 

In 2023, tourist spending in Ibiza and nearby Formentera reached a staggering €4.3 billion ($4.9 billion), a record high.

That’s great for the economy, but it also comes with consequences. During the warmer tourist season, infrastructure gets overwhelmed, services get stretched thin, and the wear and tear have become obvious over the decades.

Cause and Effect

Real estate has also become a major concern. As luxury tourism booms, so do the housing costs on the island. 

The average property sale price in the Balearics is now over €3,100 per square meter, and rent has increased to nearly €14 per square meter. That may not mean much to a person spending a few nights in a hotel, but for residents, it is devastating. 

Seasonal workers and even full-time staff in the hospitality industry often can’t afford to live where they work. This means that lots of them end up camping in forests or sleeping in vans, a reality that has led to protests across the islands.

Outside Looking In

Ibiza’s current image as a billionaire’s playground, where celebrities casually drop tens of thousands of euros on champagne is certainly not fake. But it hides the significant strain underneath.

Locals are being priced out of their own homes, public areas are becoming worn down and even basic infrastructure, like waste management and public transportation, can’t keep up with peak season crowds. 

Unfortunately once the tourists leave, there isn’t always enough money or even political will to fix what’s broken.

Important Considerations

None of this erases the fact that Ibiza is a beautiful island. The natural scenery, excellent food and limitless nightlife opportunities live up to expectations. 

However, it is important to understand the full picture. What looks like paradise for visitors can feel very different for the roughly 160 thousand people who live and work there year-round. 

They have to deal with it being everyone’s summer escape and during the off-season, that reality is harder to ignore.

Written by Brendan G

References

The Guardian. (2024, May 25). ‘It’s totally broken down’: tourism surge forcing Ibiza’s workers to live in car parks. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/25/tourism-surge-forcing-ibiza-workers-to-live-in-car-parks

Diario de Ibiza. (2023, November 9). Tourists shatter spending records in Ibiza and Formentera last year. Retrieved from https://www.diariodeibiza.com/ibiza/tourists-broke-spending-records-year/​

Ibiza Prestige. (2023). Ibiza & Balearic Islands Real Estate 2023 & 2024 Forecast. Retrieved from https://ibizaprestige.com/ibiza-balearic-island-real-estate-market-report-2023-forecast-2024/