4 days ago
This Popular Beach Destination In Spain Is Limiting Tourist Vehicles This Summer
Between June 1 and September 30, a new regulation has been implemented on the island of Ibiza to limit the number of vehicles used by non-residents to a maximum of 20,000 per day, according to a report in El Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera. Of this daily cap, 16,000 spots are allocated for rental cars available on the island, while the remaining 4,000 are reserved for privately owned vehicles arriving via ferry, provided they obtain prior authorisation.
Additionally, caravans must prove they have a confirmed booking at a designated camping area, as overnight parking in natural areas is strictly prohibited. Motorbikes, however, are not subject to these seasonal limitations.
Vicent Marí, president of Ibiza's local government, explained that the initiative is designed to 'ensure the sustainability" of the island, which is home to approximately 1,50,000 residents but welcomes around 3.6 million tourists annually. This heavy influx also affects the neighbouring island of Formentera, which has already introduced its own vehicle restrictions.
Official figures show a dramatic increase in traffic over the past 20 years, with the number of vehicles on Ibiza's roads surging from 51,000 in 2002 to 2,07,000 in 2022. Marí acknowledged that some sectors—including rental car companies and large businesses—had opposed the new vehicle limits. Nonetheless, he stressed the necessity of regulating what he described as 'unsustainable" tourist numbers.
The broader Balearic archipelago, which includes Mallorca and Menorca along with Ibiza and Formentera, attracts roughly 19 million tourists each year. This makes the region a major contributor to Spain's tourism industry, which sees about 94 million visitors annually, ranking it second only to France as a global travel destination. Mallorca, another popular Balearic island, is also reportedly preparing to introduce similar vehicle control measures shortly.
