Sun-worshipping Brits heading over to one of the most popular Spanish-owned islands have been warned over a new strict clampdown revealed by the council today (Friday, March 28)
One of the most popular Spanish islands is clamping down on tourists after implementing a ‘ground-breaking’ cap. Last year, Ibiza saw a staggering nine million passengers pass through its airport – despite protests across the Balearics ordering holidaymakers to ‘go home’.
The island, known for its party-mad hotspots and picturesque beaches, has unveiled bold plans to limit the number of people on the road at any one time to 20,168 vehicles. New legislation, reportedly brought in by the Council of Ibiza, also states there can only be 16,000 hire cars on the island – all remaining vehicles will belong to locals.
The major reform comes as the Balearics continues to grapple with ongoing traffic problems and congestion, which it partly blames on unconfident tourists trying to drive around the island. According to local media, the government is also mulling a tax on rental cars – but this is yet to have been approved by parliament.
READ MORE: Brits warned as Spanish beach introduces huge ban with ‘£1,700’ fines
“Not even motor homes escape the new legislation,” warns Majorca Daily Bulletin, a Spanish news site for English readers. “Only those which are registered in Ibiza or have a place at an official camping sit will be allowed.”
Earlier this year, Juan Cárdenas slammed rumours that the Council will be limiting rental cars, arguing their demand is directly linked to the volume of tourists the island receives – a number will is slowly rising. “If every year we break tourist records, we will have to see if that number, instead of lowering it, has to be increased,” he warned, according to La Voz De Ibiza. “We must start with a figure and assess over time if it is the right one or if it has to be modified.”
Juan argued that his fleet only represents between 10 and 12 per cent of the total traffic in Ibiza, claiming that traffic saturation actually comes from people bringing their own vehicles to the island. “We are seeing how many vehicles enter, from workers with their cars to tourists and foreigners who come with their own vehicles,” he added.
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While the strict rules will be a huge blow to locals working in the tourism sector, it may be better received by fed-up locals who argue that over tourism is ruining their homeland. Anti-tourist sentiment is escalating across the country, as Brits are being threatened with a ‘bleak’ summer filled with demonstrations.
Earlier this month, residents went to the extreme of blocking tourists from accessing a famous sunset viewpoint. As previously reported, locals from Cala d’Hort de Sant Josep blockaded the site with large boulders to stop cars from parking there.
Ibiza offiials have also recently cracked down on unregulated holiday rentals, with Airbnb de-listing more than 300 properties on the island already. The move is part of growing efforts to tackle overcrowding on the party-mad island, and was branded a ‘milestone’ by Ibiza Council President Vicent Marí.
Over in Tenerife, another Spanish island saturated with Brits, anti-tourist protests took a violent turn. It comes after a shocking sign threatening to ‘kill a tourist’ garnered global media attention, while reports emerged that anonymous activists had even gone as far as setting fire to rental cars to send a clear message to tourists.
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