A new upper limit for tourist vehicles is now valid on the Spanish holiday island of Ibiza. Between June and September, a maximum of 20,000 cars and campers are allowed to the island every day- a step with which the regional government responds to the growing problems of mass tourism.
While the head of the Government of the Balearic Island, Vicent Marí emphasizes, the measure is intended to improve the sustainability of the island and to contain increasing environmental pollution due to traffic, exhaust gases and waste. With an island population of around 150,000 people, Ibiza welcomes around 3.6 million tourists every year – and the trend rises.
Only travel on the island with a reservation
Of the new daily limit, 16,000 vehicles on rental cars that are already on the island. This means that only 4,000 places stay daily for private vehicles and campers of tourists travel by ferry. These vehicles must be registered in advance. The following also applies to campers: only those who have a valid camping reservation can go to the island. Motorcycles are excluded from the Regulation.
Traffic is quadrupled
The decision is followed by alarming developments: according to official information, the number of vehicles in Ibiza has quadrupled over the past 20 years. This leads to traffic jams, parking spotlights and increased air pollution, especially in high season. The government of the island emphasizes that tourism is a load -bearing pillar of the economy, but it is necessary to reconsider to prevent an ecological collapse.
Spain fights overtourism
The discussion about overtourism does not only affect Ibiza. In Barcelona, the locals have been protesting against holidaymakers for years. In the Canary Islands, thousands took to the streets in May under the motto “The Canary Islands”. They criticize the overload of infrastructure, the environmental and housing market.
Housing shortage due to holiday rental
The rental market in Spain is also under pressure. In May, the authorities ordered the removal of more than 65,000 illegal Airbnb offers. The reason for this is the increasing lack of affordable living space, especially in tourist strongholds such as Barcelona, Palma or Málaga. Nationally, the number of apartments via platforms such as Airbnb is estimated at more than 400,000.
With the new traffic regulations, Ibiza is now sending a clear signal: mass tourism has limits and compliance with their compliance must be monitored in the future. The island not only wants to protect the environment, but also improve the quality of life of its residents and the holiday experience of its guests.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
