Ibiza Tourism Board Intensifies Efforts for Year-Round Sustainability
The Tourism Promotion team of Ibiza has launched a strategic initiative to reshape the island’s visitor economy, presenting their 2026 roadmap at Madrid’s FITUR tourism fair. Their agenda focuses on three pillars: extending the tourism season beyond summer peaks, developing sustainable practices, and improving transport connections with mainland Spain.
The team presented the new projects of the Enjoy Ibiza Activities club.
Beyond Beaches: Diversifying Ibiza’s Appeal
During 65 strategic meetings with tour operators, airlines, and travel media, officials highlighted Ibiza’s off-season attractions including:
- Gastronomy trails featuring local markets and Michelin-recognized restaurants
- Cultural programming at UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 300+ km of hiking trails and marine conservation programs
- Year-round sports events from cycling to nautical activities
Technology and Sustainability Integration
The team participated in FITUR Tech’s expert sessions on AI-driven tourism management and carbon-neutral destination certification. Tourism Promotion director María Fajardo noted: “We’re implementing smart booking systems to distribute visitor flows and reduce environmental pressure during peak months.”
Tourism Promotion held 65 meetings at FITUR 2026. / Promotion of Tourism
Emerging Markets Strategy
Tourism Promotion identified key growth opportunities through collaboration with Turespaña (Spain’s official tourism institute):
Latin American Connections
Direct air routes from Mexico City and Bogotá showed 18% passenger growth in 2025 winter months. “These visitors stay 22% longer than European guests,” noted market analyst Carlos Mendoza.
Oceania Outreach
New stopover agreements with Qantas offer potential to capture Australian travelers en route to Europe. Tourism Promotion will participate in 12 reverse trade missions before 2026 season launch.
Tourism Promotion values the importance for the island of having its own and differentiated stand. / Promotion of Tourism
Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions
President Alejandro Sancho emphasized critical needs for destination sustainability:
Connectivity Improvements
“Current ferry capacity meets only 73% of winter demand between Ibiza and Valencia,” stated Sancho. The board proposes:
- Year-round high-speed ferry service
- Revised slot allocation at Ibiza Airport for winter routes
- Inter-island flight subsidies through Balearic Mobility Pact
Housing Market Stabilization
With 41% of residents reporting housing stress in 2025 surveys, Tourism Promotion supports:
- Accelerated illegal rental prosecutions (147 cases resolved in 2025)
- Tax incentives for long-term residential leases
- Worker housing partnerships with hotel groups
“Our 2026 projections show stable visitor numbers but higher quality spending. Success requires balancing tourism economics with community needs.”
Destination Management Headquarters
Tourism Promotion’s strategic framework aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work) and 12 (Responsible Consumption). Their 2026 implementation plan will be published March 15th on the Consell de Ibiza’s official portal.