"...
Ibiotic Suicide
I have to say that xxx's letter in the Ibiza Sun edition 455 ...
basically echoed everything that most sane people I speak to feel about the island.
He's right, it does sometimes seem as though rather than the island dying,
it's committing suicide.
And he's also right; it does sometimes feel as though what's going on here
is a badly scripted tragedy or comedy
(and if anyone knows about badly scripted comedies it's me).
Most resorts would give their eye teeth for the reputation and unique magic
that Ibiza has but the 'morons' (or as an increasing number of us are calling them,
the 'Ibiots') who make the major decisions here, seem to have the self-awareness
of Coolio or David Van Day when it comes to knowing what's best for the island.
xxx said it's as though they are on some kind of divine mission and he's not far wrong -
it does feel as though there's an almost evangelical zeal to sabotage everything
that has made Ibiza so special.
As an 'outsider' (and let's face it, if you haven't one of about half a dozen surnames,
that's what you'll always be no matter how many properties or businesses
you buy or how many kids you have born here) one cannot help sometimes feeling…
well, resented.
Old Ibicenecos have a well-deserved reputation for liberalism and tolerance
but it feels as though many of their offspring, having benefited from tourism
and the family land being worth lottery winning amounts,
now have an 'I'm alright Jack' attitude a
nd are basically saying "thank you very much, now would you mind all pissing off!."
I've a sneaking feeling that some of this particular kind of animal
are now moving in to positions of power.
And this isn't an ex-pat thing. How would the majority of less privileged Ibicencos cope
if the tourist industry here implodes?
Is Sainsbury's suddenly going to be flooded with Ibiza salt, fish and almonds?
You can't turn the clock back, whether it's to the 1980s when more families came
to ewsorts like Ibiza (because now the only families who come here in the main
are on the dreaded all-inclusive) or whether it's to the balmy and peaceful days
of the 1950s when the best way of getting to San Antonio from Ibiza Town
was by boat!
It's called progress and whilst it's not all good,
one thing you cannot do is stop it.
I really liked xx's blueprint to improve the island's economy.
I don't play golf but there surely can't be any doubt that having a couple
of world class golf courses here would provide the impetus needed to stimulate
the island's winter economy AND move the emphasis away from clubbing in the summer?
Worthy though wanting to attract ramblers, cyclists and junior football tournament fanatics
may be, they aren't going to persuade bars or shops to open in the winter
(and let's be realistic, not in the bloody summer either!).
And annoying though it may be to see some smug bastard in a multi million pound yacht,
another marina that attracts more of those smug bastards and their millions
can only have a financial benefit to the island.
The environment obviously needs to be considered but like anything,
surely it's about causing minimum disruption for maximum gain, discussing,
give and take…as xxx says, at least the rabbits will be happy bouncing around
a golf course rather than being shot at
(didn't they translate Watership Down into Catalan?).
I've always been involved in the club scene yet nothing would give me more pleasure
than to see the demography of tourists visiting Ibiza broaden;
that's broaden not constrict.
Don't try and sacrifice clubbers for ramblers because the ramblers won't come.
Keep the clubbers happy ('happy' rather than totally dominating)
then try and find ways of encouraging other tourist groups
who can stimulate the economy.
Ironically, I actually disagree with xxx when it comes to a carte blanche
for opening hours, but please, let's have some common sense in applying the rules.
I've a friend from one of the old Ibiza families who runs several successful businesses
and is very well travelled.
He told me that he can party within reason when he wants virtually anywhere in the world,
yet if he has a party in his own house and the old lady across the valley calls the police,
he has to stop.
This IS NOT a drug dealer playing trance with hundreds of ne'er-do-wells;
it's a respectable local in his early sixties listening to Perry bleedin' Como
with about twenty of his family once every few years!
One of the most frustrating things is that whilst many of us contribute to the economy
and have a genuine love and respect for the island, our opinions seldom seem
to get heard other than in oracles like this.
It would be good if there were some kind of initiative where politicians harvested ideas
from us. At least we're at the front line and we understand the psychology and needs
of many of those deciding whether or not to come here on holiday.
I'm sorry, but there is no way an ex-school teacher turned politician can know
what British tourists want without listening to the likes of us (those running businesses,
not British politicians).
Ignore what we say if you want, but at least listen to us so you have
a broader understanding of at least one very important part
of the island's tourist economy.
For example, we could tell them that having an Ibiza advert in GQ magazine
featuring two saddoes standing outside Dalt Vila with a map and the strap line
'Ibiza - gateway to culture…' is a complete waste of money.
If I want culture I'll go to Greece or Rome.
If I want to see two twats with a map I'll go to Milton Keynes.
If however, I want to see the world's most famous sunset,
or Europe's cleanest beach (or some other award Cala Salada recently received)
I'll come to Ibiza (see, didn't even mention a club).
At the moment, the most accurate strap line for an Ibiza advert would be
"Ibiza - the island that can't say 'yes'…"
The Ibiots making decisions need more self-awareness and to understand
what real tourists actually want, not what they think some composite tourist would like.
They need to realise that trying to stop VIP car services is all well and good
but at least have a home-grown alternative first.
What, is Abramovich's 14 year old son going to stand at the San An taxi rank
with his bodyguards for an hour when he wants to go to Pacha?
They need to realise that when fewer people come into your bar or club,
the answer isn`t to put your prices up - it's to be more creative.
It's to offer better value for money.
And sorry, I love Pacha but 13€ for a Corona in winter?
What credit crunch..? isn`t
Their needs to be a collective removal of heads from sand,
to wake up to what's going on in the world,
to appreciate Ibiza's unique position within that world
and to realise that the halcyon days are gone;
just opening your doors is no longer enough.
Still, if the Ibiots in power do screw things up for everyone the one positive aspect
will be that at least it will unite those who were for and against the development
of the Ibiza to San Antonio road.
Tumbleweed doesn't need a motorway…
Colin Butts
..."
(ibiza-sun, Our Readers write... )
sant josep havent had to fine any venue since the after hours were banned
I just had the same thoughts