Where do you see the Balearics in five years? At the cutting edge of sustainable tourism. But you can enjoy Ibiza sustainably (and to the full) now
Ambition? The world's first circular destination
Spain, of which Ibiza is one of the autonomous provinces, decided on a "green revolution" in tourism during a period that was doubly bad for travel - the covida pandemic. In January 2022, the Spanish government passed several new laws with a clear vision - the popular Balearic Islands, which alongside Ibiza also include Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera, will become the world's first circular destination. Circulation plays a key role in sustainable management - when products, materials and resources stay in circulation for as long as possible, waste is naturally minimised.
In order to implement a conscious tourism model that actively addresses pollution and climate change, the Spanish government has invested 55 million euros in sustainability. The aim was, among other things, to promote recycling, the reuse of things and the sharing economy. Back in 2019, the non-profit organisation Ibiza Preservation Foundation reported that Ibiza accounts for half a tonne of waste per person per year - double the amount of the average Spanish resident.
Goodbye, plastics and paperwork
Ibiza's tourism businesses have therefore been obliged to implement specific sustainability measures. From March 2022, the hotel and catering sector in Ibiza had to grapple with a ban on the sale and distribution of single-use plastics - down to the last straw. Adios, beach parties with drinks in disposable cups that - unfortunately for all living organisms - often ended up in the sea.
Although recycled paper is considered a greener alternative to plastic alongside cellulose and bamboo, some hotels in Ibiza go even further in sustainability and have strict rules, even when it comes to paper consumption. So don't be surprised if you don't get printed information materials from the hotel staff, brochures are replaced by a QR code and the restaurant staff only offer you an electronic menu. This is done in the interest of a smaller ecological footprint - every A4 saved counts, especially when you consider how many guests visit Ibiza each year.
Record demand, record burden
In 2023, Ibiza celebrated a record that the holiday destination could never have dreamed of at the turn of the millennium. The island attracted a staggering 3.7 million tourists, almost doubling the number of visitors compared to 2001 statistics. Along with the tourist interest, which is certainly flattering for Ibiza, the strain on the local ecosystems has also grown unbearably - the influx of travellers is putting more pressure on the island's urbanisation and the tourist boom is understandably being felt by local residents. In 2023, there were 21 tourists for every resident, and if the cars entering the island were budgeted on a per capita basis, there would be more than one car for every resident, not including infants and the elderly.
Ibiza by bike? 21 times different
The local authorities are not turning a blind eye to these problems either, but are actively trying to address the traffic situation. Ibiza encourages visitors to discover the beautiful natural scenery "on foot", but not necessarily on foot. As a tourist, there are twenty-one cycle routes to choose from, giving you a new perspective on the island: you can explore the rugged coastline, enjoy a ride through a pine grove or 'air' your bike in the hilly terrain. Road and mountain bike owners will be in for a treat - and you can also rent an e-bike on site.
Ibiza is restricting the entry of cars from this year onwards - the restriction aims to ease the congestion on the road network that residents have had to face each year during the season, and to control air pollution. So from June 1 to September 30, the maximum number of 20,618 vehicles allowed on the island, including caravans and rental cars, must not be exceeded.
The new 'lungs' of the Mediterranean
But sustainable Ibiza doesn't stop there - you'll see inspiration at literally every turn. Hotels are honestly measuring water consumption and installing water-saving devices in showers, baths and sinks. Farm-to-table gastronomy is proliferating in restaurants, allowing you to sample produce from local farmers that hasn't had to be transported for long distances. Increasingly, lighting in public places and buildings is using solar energy and modern LED technology to reduce CO₂ emissions and avoid wasting non-renewable resources. And we are seeing progress in nature too.
This year, Ibiza City Council won an award from the European Commission, specifically for a project that restores the seagrass beds of posidonia - an unassuming herb nicknamed the 'lungs of the Mediterranean' because of its key role in the recovery of the local ecosystems.
The ecological use of
Nobody can probably take away Ibiza's reputation as a hedonistic location where it's amazing at night - why should they, right? But the island will convince you that you can enjoy the proverbial "carpe noctem" in a way that is respectful of nature, the locals - and the island's future.
