Photo Credit: David Švihovec
Ibiza officials consider proposals that would ban any new nightclubs from opening there, in an effort to “contain the existing nightlife.”
Ibiza has reached its limit on nightclubs, according to the island’s government.
Mariano Juan, Vice President of Ibiza’s self-governing council, the Consell d’Elvissa, announced plans to put a ban on any new nightclubs opening on the island. According to a report from Periodico de Ibiza, Juan announced the plans during a PIAT (Plan for Intervention in Tourist Areas) plenary session last month.
“The proposal aims to contain the existing nightlife,” Juan said during the session. “We believe there is already enough nightlife in certain areas, and no more licenses should be granted.”
Juan stressed that the Consell d’Elvissa “doesn’t want legal leisure activities to disappear” and noted that nightlife is a key element in the island’s economy. He added the proposed ban would not affect existing club licenses, and that these venues “position us, differentiate us, complement our existing offerings, and provide thousands of jobs.”
“There’s nothing shameful about them; they’re not a problem,” he added. “They’re part of Ibiza, and we should be proud of them.”
However, the vice president acknowledged that a ban on new nightlife venues is already in place across most of Ibiza, except for San Josep, a village in the south-west of the island.
Representative Elena Lopez, for the Ibiza wing of the Spanish socialist party PSOE, agreed with Juan’s assertion, saying that Ibiza had become “one enormous party venue” that has “gotten out of hand.”
“This tourism economy model (…) has spiraled out of control; listen to the public, and take on that control and leadership when it comes to being tough with vendors—tough enough not to allow a single new leisure venue, not one more nightclub on our island,” Lopez added. “There’s nothing wrong with saying that out loud, and (being) tough enough to properly control all the venues currently operating so they follow the rules and don’t affect our residents.”
The proposal arrives as tensions continue to mount over illegal parties on the island. Police had to shut down an unauthorized event at a villa near Sant Miquel this week—the latest enforcement action over such events in recent weeks.
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