"Ibiza is the first region in Spain to eliminate all illegal supply"

What do we understand today by sustainable tourism in Ibiza?

It’s a concept that involves several issues. Sustainability alone is abstract and shouldn’t be used to stifle economic sectors. But nor should these sectors be left to their own devices on an island with finite land and resources. The key is to include corrective measures of environmental, economic and social sustainability in our main activity, which is tourism, so that it can survive in the long term as a source of well-being.

What is the island's main challenge?

There are lots of challenges, but almost all stem from the same factor: demographics. In Spain there’s talk of an ‘empty Spain’, but we should actually talk of it as a relocated Spain: if some areas are being emptied, there are others being filled. Ibiza is one of them. Every year the population increases, not just naturally, but also because people come to work and live their lives here. This leads to a strain on housing, mobility, water, waste, and also on the fight against illegal activity.

How has sustainable tourism tax (ITS) helped to tackle illegal activity?

It’s been key. The ITS fund has granted €4 million to combat illegal holiday rentals: €2 million for the Island Council and €2 million for the five city councils. It also involves collaboration with rental platforms such as Airbnb, which has 90% of the market, as well as Booking, Vrbo and Holidu. With this plan, Ibiza is the first region in Spain to remove all non-compliant ads from these platforms.

What has this measure achieved?

Today there are 2,900 fewer illegal ads and 14,500 fewer tourist beds than a year ago. This means 2,000 fewer tourists per day on average in illegal accommodation. At the same time, there are 5,000 more tourists per day in legal rentals. We’ve squared the circle: less human pressure and more legal occupancy. This means 7,000 people who used to stay overnight in illegal accommodation no longer do so. In total, one million illegal overnight stays have been eliminated.

As well as illegal activity, you also mentioned housing, water and waste. What progress has been made there?

In terms of housing, the Balearic Government the competent body in this area, is working to free up urban land and ensure public-private partnerships to build affordable housing. Regarding water, we’re talking about increasing desalination and, above all, reuse capacity. Next year, two water treatment plants will be installed to reuse treated water. On top of that, the Island Council and city councils have invested more than €20 million between them to reduce leaks and improve water efficiency. Regarding waste, there’s an ongoing participatory process involving groups, environmental associations and the general public to decide the future model for the island, including incineration on or off the island. And in terms of mobility, we’ve hit two major milestones: this November we’ll see the launch of a new public transport contract with 50% more coverage and two-thirds electric buses, together with a legal limit on the entry of vehicles.

What’s the next step in the fight against illegal activity?

Now the idea is to enter a second phase to discuss issues such as managing the demographic challenge and influxes that impact the generation of waste, mobility, water management and the demand for housing. Also, after reducing the impact of illegal rentals and strengthening legal ones, we want to check the platforms’ data more accurately, monitor false figures and extend the scope to smaller platforms. We have to manage not just tourism, but also the impact of population growth on waste, water, mobility and housing.

How do you coordinate with local councils?

From the Department Against Illegal Activity, set up this year. It’s the first space of its kind in Spain that brings together all government authorities, the private sector and housing platforms. Thanks to this work and public-private partnerships, illegal ads have been removed. Local councils also receive funding from the ITS to expand their staff, hire inspection teams, apply new technology, etc. This is always under the coordination of the Island Council.

You’ve claimed it’s better to regulate than to ban. What does this mean in practice?

It would have been easy to blame the platforms for everything, but that wouldn’t have solved anything. What we’ve achieved has been the result of agreements, not bans. The same goes for the Island Spatial Plan: it now regulates tourist use in the countryside after more than 40 meetings with associations and groups. Now we’re drafting a Tourism Intervention Plan (PIAT), which will define tourism development in mature areas and activities. Regulation is more complex to explain and doesn’t make the headlines, but it’s much more effective.

What tourism model would you like to see in Ibiza in 50 years’ time?

An industry that’s proud of itself, that generates jobs and wealth, and that’s sustainable in the long term. It’s not about spending a few years ‘making money’ before busting the system. The goal is to make sure that tourists who come here have a great experience, while also balancing the livelihood of residents, without them lacking anything or blaming tourism. Structural problems have to be managed, because they don’t just come from tourism, but from the lack of long-term policies.