Latest news with #VicentMari
NDTV
01-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Popular Spanish Destination Limits Tourist Cars, Caravans
Spain's island of Ibiza -- a hugely popular Mediterranean destination -- from Sunday started limiting the number of incoming tourist cars and caravans because of the huge numbers of visitors it gets. From June 1 to September 30, the daily number of vehicles used by non-residents is now capped at 20,000, the local government explained to one of the island's newspapers, El Periodico de Ibiza y Formentera. Of those, 16,000 are rental cars available on the island, while the rest of the quota is for private cars making ferry crossings, as long as they get a prior authorisation to do so. Caravans also need to show they have a reservation at a camping site, and are not allowed to be parked anywhere in the countryside. Motorbikes are excluded from the seasonal restrictions. The head of Ibiza's government, Vicent Mari, told the newspaper that the change was to "guarantee the sustainability" of the island, which has 150,000 inhabitants but receives some 3.6 million tourists per year, along with the smaller Formentera island nearby. Official statistics show that the number of vehicles on the island's roads quadrupled over the past two decades, from 51,000 in 2002 to 207,000 in 2022. Mari said various interests operating in Ibiza -- including car-rental firms and big companies -- had resisted the limits, but argued that were necessary "to regulate and control unsustainable (tourist) flows". Formentera island already restricts vehicles, and another Balearic islands hotspot, Mallorca, is planning to do so next year. Altogether, the Balearic islands attract 19 million tourists per year, a sizable part of the 94 million who visit all of Spain, which is the second-biggest destination for visitors in the world, after France.
Local Spain
01-06-2025
- Business
- Local Spain
Ibiza limits tourist cars, caravans
From June 1 to September 30, the daily number of vehicles used by non-residents is now capped at 20,000, the local government explained to one of the island's newspapers, El Periodico de Ibiza y Formentera. Of those, 16,000 are rental cars available on the island, while the rest of the quota is for private cars making ferry crossings, as long as they get a prior authorisation to do so. Caravans also need to show they have a reservation at a camping site, and are not allowed to be parked anywhere in the countryside. Motorbikes are excluded from the seasonal restrictions. The head of Ibiza's government, Vicent Mari, told the newspaper that the change was to "guarantee the sustainability" of the island, which has 150,000 inhabitants but receives some 3.6 million tourists per year, along with the smaller Formentera island nearby. Official statistics show that the number of vehicles on the island's roads quadrupled over the past two decades, from 51,000 in 2002 to 207,000 in 2022. Mari said various interests operating in Ibiza -- including car-rental firms and big companies -- had resisted the limits, but argued that were necessary "to regulate and control unsustainable (tourist) flows". Formentera island already restricts vehicles, and another Balearic islands hotspot, Mallorca, is planning to do so next year. Altogether, the Balearic islands attract 19 million tourists per year, a sizable part of the 94 million who visit all of Spain, which is the second-biggest destination for visitors in the world, after France.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Spain's Ibiza limits tourist cars, caravans due to overcrowding
From June 1 to Sept 30, the daily number of vehicles used by non-residents in Ibiza is now capped at 20,000. PHOTO: EPA-EFE MADRID – Spain's island of Ibiza – a hugely popular Mediterranean destination – from June 1 started limiting the number of incoming tourist cars and caravans because of the huge numbers of visitors it gets. From June 1 to Sept 30, the daily number of vehicles used by non-residents is now capped at 20,000, the local government explained to one of the island's newspapers, El Periodico de Ibiza y Formentera. Of those, 16,000 are rental cars available on the island, while the rest of the quota is for private cars making ferry crossings, as long as they get a prior authorisation to do so. Caravans also need to show they have a reservation at a camping site, and are not allowed to be parked anywhere in the countryside. Motorbikes are excluded from the seasonal restrictions. The head of Ibiza's government, Mr Vicent Mari, told the newspaper that the change was to 'guarantee the sustainability' of the island, which has 150,000 inhabitants but receives some 3.6 million tourists per year, along with the smaller Formentera island nearby. Official statistics show that the number of vehicles on the island's roads quadrupled over the past two decades, from 51,000 in 2002 to 207,000 in 2022. Mr Mari said various interests operating in Ibiza, including car-rental firms and big companies, resisted the limits, but argued that were necessary 'to regulate and control unsustainable (tourist) flows'. Formentera island already restricts vehicles, and another Balearic islands hotspot, Mallorca, is planning to do so in 2026. Altogether, the Balearic islands attract 19 million tourists per year, a sizable part of the 94 million who visit all of Spain, which is the second-biggest destination for visitors in the world, after France. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hundreds of AirBnb properties pulled from Spanish island amid tourist crackdown
A Spanish island has signed an 'historic' agreement with Airbnb over tourist flats, amid growing tensions. Ibiza and Airbnb have struck a deal that will see illegal tourist accommodation removed from the platform, reports MirrorOnline. The new plan means 'flagrantly' illegal properties will be taken down from the site, including caravans, tents, yurts and boats. Under the agreement, properties will be removed 'without discussion or appeal', in order to prevent costly and legal delays. READ MORE: Ryanair set to cancel flights in Italy, Spain, France and Austria Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join In the first 15 days of the agreement being enforced, more than 300 adverts have been taken off the platform. Any Airbnb users who violate the law will also face being blocked from the platform entirely. In Ibiza, there are currently 100 open cases, which is expected to grow to over 200 with the introduction of the new measures. Ibiza's council leader, Vicent Mari and Airbnb's Spanish director, Jaime Rodriguex de Santiago, both signed the agreement. Other entities have also been involved in the talks, including the Ibiza Tourist Accommodation Association (AVAT), the Ibiza and Formentera Hotelier Federation (FEHIF) and the Ibiza Tourism Board. 'Airbnb has chosen Ibiza to establish their fight against the intrusion of tourist flats,' Mr. Mari said. 'The island is small but a big player in Spain's tourism industry," reports The Olive Press. Mr. Santiago also expressed his wish for Ibiza to be the "first of many" councils to collaborate with Airbnb. He said: "This is the start of a long relationship." The council added that the agreement will help to ensure environmental, social and economic sustainability for the island, in addition to enhancing the quality of tourism. "Mr. Mari added that the agreement is "a milestone in the roadmap that we set out more than five years ago to lead a relentless fight against the island's unregulated supply". Short-term holiday lets, including Airbnb properties, in Spain have faced increasing criticism over the past year from locals. Ibiza in particular, is popular with British tourists heading to the destination for its club scene and serene beaches. In June last year, it was announced that there would a citywide ban on all short-term rentals in Barcelona, by November 2028, including Airbnb and properties. The city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, said that there are over 10,000 apartments registered as rentals for tourists and plan to stop issuing licenses will see many properties return to the open market. At the time, he stated: 'We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona's largest problem. "More supply of housing is needed, and the measures we're presenting are to provide more supply so that the working middle class does not have to leave the city because they can't afford housing. 'This measure will not change the situation from one day to the next. These problems take time. But with this measure we are marking a turning point.'
