Sunday, September 15, 2024 Ibiza, the dazzling jewel of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is taking proactive steps to control its bustling tourism scene by regulating the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at the island’s port simultaneously. Known for its vibrant tourism industry, Ibiza annually attracts a significant number of cruise liners. However, this influx has put a strain on the island’s infrastructure, particularly when multiple ships dock at once, leading to overcrowded transport services and severe congestion.
In a move inspired by Mallorca, which implemented restrictions last year, Ibiza will soon adopt similar measures. Mallorca was the first Spanish destination to limit cruise ship arrivals, setting a cap of three ships per day in Palma. Ibiza is set to follow suit, aiming to restrict simultaneous dockings to no more than two ships at a time.
Vicent Marí, President of Ibiza, underscores the necessity of a coordinated effort with the Port Authority to manage cruise arrivals more efficiently. This new regulation, slated to begin in 2015, is designed to address the overcrowding issues that have increasingly affected the island. In 2023, Ibiza set a new record by welcoming 548,969 cruise passengers, marking an impressive 86% increase from the 295,368 passengers recorded in 2022.
This surge means the number of cruise visitors vastly exceeded the island’s resident population, which stands at approximately 159,180. The island saw a total of 188 cruise ships doc.