(maybe) hard times
Interesting post.
And greetings from a fellow writer. I also think the island's superclubs are in for a surprise this season. In terms of hype the scene probably peaked in 1999 or 2000 - four UK-Ibiza mags, and a camera crew on every corner. All the clubs were full, and the UK couldn't get enough of the Ibiza. But tastes change and it couldn't last forever. Ibiza messed up MTV and clubbing is kinda passé, or not very interesting in a fat cat corporate dancefloor-branded sense anyway.
The way I see it, the package resorts are gonna suffer for years to come. In San An, Es Canar and the family resorts, bookings are well down for the second year. The backlash is being felt now, years after Ibiza Uncovered. After a five year media drip fed diet of puke, shagging and aggro, it's not surprising that yer great British package family looks elsewhere, whatever the reality.
Structurally, most Ibiza resorts just look dated. Built in the 60s and 70s, the huge concrete block, sell 'em cheapo formula looks is impersonal and ugly. Third world countries, like Thailand and Malaysia are building attractive low rise touristic developments successfully, having learnt from the mistakes of the Spanish.
With regard to the clubs, they’ve had such a phat few years that a downturn ain't gonna hurt too bad. Privilege has always been virtually empty for half the week. I guess things will dip this year again. Media interest cert is much less intense - I know people in Ibiza who have always been able to count on work with UK TV production cos who are not going to be working this summer. But for me, Ibiza could do with taking stock for a season or two. There will still be amazing parties, but quality will count much more. DC10, Underground, Pin Up and Pachá will all thrive. But as for the rest? If it takes a few hard years to discharge some of the greed that defines the Ibizan superclub "scene" s'fine by me. [/i]
Iain