Sky News Says - "Young People Turning Away from Ibiza"

[JPF]

For the first time in years, have not had a holiday in Ibiza this year.

I can afford it, but do I want to spend that sort of money?

This year, had a weeks holiday in Denia. Was fantastic, lots of exploring - and being 44 years of age it was nice getting up at 9am with more than just a few hours sleep.

Thankfully, from Denia - you can jump on a ferry to Ibiza. I did, spent a few hours on the Island. At least I can say I did Ibiza 2017.

One thing though, as soon as I jumped of the ferry was the jump in prices for everything.

Not just that, a restaurant on the Island I love had put their prices up 10% on last year.

The whole Island is becoming so expensive - it will push folk away. Each year a generation is getting older and like myself will look for alternative holidays.

I love the Island and have missed clubbing, the beaches, sunsets and food this year.

For me, there is something about the Island that does tear my heart.

The last straw for me was last year with the sunbeds on the beaches. What used to be a few in a corner now leaves next to no space to lay a towel down unless you want to pay a fee for what you could buy a new sunbed for!

As much as it has pissed me off - really do feel for the locals who want to pop to a beach with their family and be ripped off.

 

[Life of Rye]

Ultimately Ibiza as a Holiday isn't great value for money and I have to say when I was old enough (2005-2010) Ibiza wasn't the go to place it was Greece/Cyprus or Magaluf.
You would look at a holiday to Ibiza before spending money and disregard it straight away
I think for that reason it doesn't get the word of mouth going either

Now with social media people are becoming more aware and taking a punt on the cost if they can afford

 

[Amp and Deck]

the killer for me this year was eating out

I didn't think the apartment or car hire were that much and I didn't drink much at Pikes

if you restrict your meals out it is still manageable

 

[craig72]

https://maninsanan.com/2017/09/26/record-arrivals-for-ibiza-but-wheres-the-money/


Good article

For the first time in years, have not had a holiday in Ibiza this year.

I can afford it, but do I want to spend that sort of money?

This year, had a weeks holiday in Denia. Was fantastic, lots of exploring - and being 44 years of age it was nice getting up at 9am with more than just a few hours sleep.

Thankfully, from Denia - you can jump on a ferry to Ibiza. I did, spent a few hours on the Island. At least I can say I did Ibiza 2017.

One thing though, as soon as I jumped of the ferry was the jump in prices for everything.

Not just that, a restaurant on the Island I love had put their prices up 10% on last year.

The whole Island is becoming so expensive - it will push folk away. Each year a generation is getting older and like myself will look for alternative holidays.

I love the Island and have missed clubbing, the beaches, sunsets and food this year.

For me, there is something about the Island that does tear my heart.

The last straw for me was last year with the sunbeds on the beaches. What used to be a few in a corner now leaves next to no space to lay a towel down unless you want to pay a fee for what you could buy a new sunbed for!

As much as it has pissed me off - really do feel for the locals who want to pop to a beach with their family and be ripped off.

I know a couple of Ibiza characters that spend their winter months near Denia

 

[cunninghamali]

the killer for me this year was eating out

I didn't think the apartment or car hire were that much and I didn't drink much at Pikes

if you restrict your meals out it is still manageable

Yes me too actually! This time going to eat at cheap places and budget! I have my tickets so its mainly sweets and food i will spend money on! Good thing is i dont drink much

 

[2H76]

Not being young by any stretch :-( I had a short break in Menorca, basically to compare the two. Weather's similar, beaches similar, Menorca doesn't have a San An or PdB (thankfully IMO *starts argument*) but Menorca doesn't have Formentera to take a boat trip to.

If it weren't for Formentera, I would now probably pick Menorca as my main holiday resort or at least split Ibiza/Menorca 50/50.

 

[diver]

Not being young by any stretch :-( I had a short break in Menorca, basically to compare the two. Weather's similar, beaches similar, Menorca doesn't have a San An or PdB (thankfully IMO *starts argument*) but Menorca doesn't have Formentera to take a boat trip to.

If it weren't for Formentera, I would now probably pick Menorca as my main holiday resort or at least split Ibiza/Menorca 50/50.

cue @kimajy

 

[kimajy]

Not being young by any stretch :-( I had a short break in Menorca, basically to compare the two. Weather's similar, beaches similar, Menorca doesn't have a San An or PdB (thankfully IMO *starts argument*) but Menorca doesn't have Formentera to take a boat trip to.

If it weren't for Formentera, I would now probably pick Menorca as my main holiday resort or at least split Ibiza/Menorca 50/50.

Yeah I went to Menorca again this year, but went to Ibiza 4 times and never made it over to Formentera (again).

Menorca is great and I'm a huge fan. But it's often windier than Ibiza and that makes a difference sometimes to what you can do.

Failed to get a day where I could go Paramotoring, getting to the SW beaches is a PITA - boat charter cancelled at the slightest risk of bigger seas and car parks full with access roads shut off by 9am. Wound up going North one day instead to the biggest jellyfish invasion I saw all Summer. I still had a great time doing substitute things but found it a struggle to get certain stuff organized again. I do love the laidback atmosphere and focus on protection of the island's natural beauty, something Ibiza can learn from, but most of what I went there to do (apart from eating out) was as expensive as Ibiza.

Clinching reason I didn't go back to Menorca again this Summer was the flyboard outfit had cut out their French pro, not updated their kit and had an inexperienced local guy operating it who clearly didn't know how to control the power properly and wouldn't listen. I just didn't feel the equipment or operator made me confident enough to do anything more "progressive" and actually stopped my session short of time. Having been to some training sessions with a pro in Ibiza and UK since I know 100% I was right to be cautious. That one activity going "downhill" was enough to dissuade me from going back as it's something I like to do on every trip if I can. The flyboard setup in Ibiza in contrast, specifically Ibiza Wet Dreams in PDB, was truly World class. It's a major selling point for someone like me.

One thing Menorca excels at is sea kayaking (just more organized and mainstream than Ibiza - went out in Menorca and never got round to it in Ibiza although I did go out paddleboarding 3 times). But Ibiza has Tim Freytag's True Blue Experiences freediving outfit which is life changing. I'll save info on that for another thread or if I ever make time to put some proper reviews up, but one of my trips basically came about to have the chance to go out on an excursion with him again last month. Not to forget Toby's Walking Ibiza trips which can be great for showing you places you probably wouldn't stumble across if you get lucky and are a nice contrast to going it alone.

There is such a strong community of amazing people in Ibiza, for all the downsides and challenges managing costs the rewards you can get back from tapping in to them are priceless.

 

[2H76]

Yeah I went to Menorca again this year, but went to Ibiza 4 times and never made it over to Formentera (again).

Menorca is great and I'm a huge fan. But it's often windier than Ibiza and that makes a difference sometimes to what you can do.

Failed to get a day where I could go Paramotoring, getting to the SW beaches is a PITA - boat charter cancelled at the slightest risk of bigger seas and car parks full with access roads shut off by 9am. Wound up going North one day instead to the biggest jellyfish invasion I saw all Summer. I still had a great time doing substitute things but found it a struggle to get certain stuff organized again. I do love the laidback atmosphere and focus on protection of the island's natural beauty, something Ibiza can learn from, but most of what I went there to do (apart from eating out) was as expensive as Ibiza.

Clinching reason I didn't go back to Menorca again this Summer was the flyboard outfit had cut out their French pro, not updated their kit and had an inexperienced local guy operating it who clearly didn't know how to control the power properly and wouldn't listen. I just didn't feel the equipment or operator made me confident enough to do anything more "progressive" and actually stopped my session short of time. Having been to some training sessions with a pro in Ibiza and UK since I know 100% I was right to be cautious. That one activity going "downhill" was enough to dissuade me from going back as it's something I like to do on every trip if I can. The flyboard setup in Ibiza in contrast, specifically Ibiza Wet Dreams in PDB, was truly World class. It's a major selling point for someone like me.

One thing Menorca excels at is sea kayaking (just more organized and mainstream than Ibiza - went out in Menorca and never got round to it in Ibiza although I did go out paddleboarding 3 times). But Ibiza has Tim Freytag's True Blue Experiences freediving outfit which is life changing. I'll save info on that for another thread or if I ever make time to put some proper reviews up, but one of my trips basically came about to have the chance to go out on an excursion with him again last month. Not to forget Toby's Walking Ibiza trips which can be great for showing you places you probably wouldn't stumble across if you get lucky and are a nice contrast to going it alone.

There is such a strong community of amazing people in Ibiza, for all the downsides and challenges managing costs the rewards you can get back from tapping in to them are priceless.

Nice account. I was only there for four full days so didn't have the chance to explore fully. I'm not a fan of watersports etc so just a beach/swim/walk/beer day does me fine.
Biggest plus is the bus station in Menorca where you can get a bus to many of the remote beaches on the north and east. Many beaches have little or no facilities so you have to self-provide for the day, as often there is just the one return bus home! Did go to the biggest, Son Beu; the resort part was a damp squib (Irish/British bars...playing British radio and sky TV - total turn-off!!) but once away from the hoards who only take up a small proportion of the beach it was just fine.
The nudist section starts quite quickly too - around the part where the lovely ducks and geese live. Did miss a beach bar there though, one thing Ibiza excells at. Lovely long and safe beach, south facing and views of Majorca.
My fave beach was Sa Mesqueda which has just the one ice-cream van, a toilet, look-out post and when I was there some very enthusiastic children who don't mind chasing beach umbrellas that have flown off!!
It's very suitable for families (in places) and folks like me who want to get off the beaten track - much better than I thought. Once I am retired and can take several breaks a year then I'm in for a longer stay.
However, yes, the wind. Luckily in Ibiza/Formentera if you watch the forecast a sheltered spot is only a bus ride (or even a 100m walk across a dune in some places!!) away. A big plus.

 

[kimajy]

Nice account. I was only there for four full days so didn't have the chance to explore fully. I'm not a fan of watersports etc so just a beach/swim/walk/beer day does me fine.
Biggest plus is the bus station in Menorca where you can get a bus to many of the remote beaches on the north and east. Many beaches have little or no facilities so you have to self-provide for the day, as often there is just the one return bus home! Did go to the biggest, Son Beu; the resort part was a damp squib (Irish/British bars...playing British radio and sky TV - total turn-off!!) but once away from the hoards who only take up a small proportion of the beach it was just fine.
The nudist section starts quite quickly too - around the part where the lovely ducks and geese live. Did miss a beach bar there though, one thing Ibiza excells at. Lovely long and safe beach, south facing and views of Majorca.
My fave beach was Sa Mesqueda which has just the one ice-cream van, a toilet, look-out post and when I was there some very enthusiastic children who don't mind chasing beach umbrellas that have flown off!!
It's very suitable for families (in places) and folks like me who want to get off the beaten track - much better than I thought. Once I am retired and can take several breaks a year then I'm in for a longer stay.
However, yes, the wind. Luckily in Ibiza/Formentera if you watch the forecast a sheltered spot is only a bus ride (or even a 100m walk across a dune in some places!!) away. A big plus.

Formentera has the advantage of being extremely manageable, transport really isn't a big issue there ! Menorca is very well served with buses to beaches tbh - if you're game to go to one beach and make a day of it (or combine with a round trip walk somewhere nearby) it works very well. A bit "hub and spoke" though - without a car more varied days can become a challenge especially if you arrive and find the wind has shifted adversely. But managing a car in popular parts of Menorca is a challenge in itself really !

I've been to Son Bou once and it's got a very accessible naturist area but as you say it's very much a case of "DIY" still nice though away from the main Resort.. Ahaha - the ducks and geese - they're near the beach car park in Cala 'en' Porter too ! Es Trenc in Mallorca has stacks of beach bars in Summer and for a long white sandy naturist beach is much better imho. Water's very shallow a good way out from shore, it's worth a visit if you've never been.

Sa Mesqueda is definitely one of Menorca's gems. It's very close to Mahon too - again, only seen once as recently been staying over Ciutadella / Cala en Bosc side of the island and it's a good trek over the Mahon side even with a car. Es Grau area nearby is amazing, especially round sunset time on a hot still night, I went out for a sunset kayak trip from there in June and it was absolutely sublime.

Cala Pregonda & Cala del Pilar are my favourites in the North, sadly Pregonda is where the jellyfish invasion was this year, just unlucky. Pilar in particular is an expedition but definitely worth it. The most beautiful beaches by far are Macarella, Macareletta & Turqueta but they get busy unless before or after Season. Been going to them by charter boat recently but that got cancelled last minute this year so I had to park at Son Saura (windy and only car park still open at 10am) and walk to Turqueta - about 10km round trip . Thankfully there's a restaurant at Son Saura you can stock up with drinks and the hike did me the world of good, even if it was in 31 degrees there was a fair amount of shaded pine forest along the way to break up the relentless sun.

But all in all Menorca is exceptionally beautiful and every time I go back I'm always reminded how much I love it !

 

[NilSatis]

After a break of three years (longest since I started goin) Im going back as one of the "all inclusive" lot. Never thought Id see the day really as sitting in a hotel all day and night to blitz the all inclusive is the least Ibiza thing I can think of. However, mitigating circumstances are traveling with friends with two kids under 10 and having seen this summer how much a spanish break cost them in ice creams, drinks etc I can totally understand why they need to go down this route. It was do this or dont go Ibiza at all really . Will still be out probably at least half the evenings we are there to eat so contributing to the locals that way - plus taking our son who will be 14months old and want to show him some of his mum and dads old haunts!
Staying in Port Des Torrent , Occidental Ibiza ,bit out the way for my liking but got a good deal so roll on June. The GF is going to have keep reminding me I cant "just get on it" these days!

 

[diver]

After a break of three years (longest since I started goin) Im going back as one of the "all inclusive" lot. Never thought Id see the day really as sitting in a hotel all day and night to blitz the all inclusive is the least Ibiza thing I can think of. However, mitigating circumstances are traveling with friends with two kids under 10 and having seen this summer how much a spanish break cost them in ice creams, drinks etc I can totally understand why they need to go down this route. It was do this or dont go Ibiza at all really . Will still be out probably at least half the evenings we are there to eat so contributing to the locals that way - plus taking our son who will be 14months old and want to show him some of his mum and dads old haunts!
Staying in Port Des Torrent , Occidental Ibiza ,bit out the way for my liking but got a good deal so roll on June. The GF is going to have keep reminding me I cant "just get on it" these days!

I had to really keep an eye on spends this year. Our 8 night family holiday for 5 in late July cost at least 4500 UK pounds, probably closer to 5000. I tried to get the cheapest flights possible, stayed SC in a private rental house, got a good deal on a car by booking early. But it was hand over fist with the spends and I went probably 30% over budget.

This meant I had less for my September trip. As such did a lot of drinking on the balcony, not spending so much on food, buses not taxis........still enjoyed it, but its in the back of your mind.

I can see entirely where you are coming from. We went mainly AI from the girls being 7 and 5 years up until they were about 12 and 14. It just suited us for the budget/convenience factor tbh. I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it again for a no hassle holiday but I do enjoy getting out and about.

 

[craig72]

That's alot of lollie diver.. 4500-5000.

 

[craig72]

My moto is its not a holiday if it cost more than staying at home. Food,drink ect.. I don't care how many sunset I see..

 

[diver]

That's alot of lollie diver.. 4500-5000.

Yeah, I don't want to formally add it all up. But for example I took the eldest and her fella (boy) to Pacha and paid, it cost me 550 euros

 

[diver]

My moto is its not a holiday if it cost more than staying at home. Food,drink ect.. I don't care how many sunset I see..

we try and do this when at the mother in laws caravan but always end up spending a sh1t load on teatime drinking most nights

 

[NilSatis]

4.5K-5K is a serious amount but hey ho I read your review and you had a blast! A weeks All inclusive and flights has cost us 1270 for two adults and an infant, so quite happy with that. I wont stay in the hotel all night for any of the nights so I know I'll still spend a few quid. But there'll be no clubbing or madness so it wont be horrendous. As long as our mates kids get loaded on drinks and ice creams in the day (plus drinks for the adults!) Id imagine we'll go into San An or the most nights. Kinda curious to see how it is from the eyes of a parent rather than someone on clubs and bars holiday!

 

[diver]

Accom - 1600
Flights - 1200
Spends - 2300
Pre bought tickets - 100
Car Hire/Airport Parking/Fuel/ins - 400

4.5K-5K is a serious amount but hey ho I read your review and you had a blast! A weeks All inclusive and flights has cost us 1270 for two adults and an infant, so quite happy with that. I wont stay in the hotel all night for any of the nights so I know I'll still spend a few quid. But there'll be no clubbing or madness so it wont be horrendous. As long as our mates kids get loaded on drinks and ice creams in the day (plus drinks for the adults!) Id imagine we'll go into San An or the most nights. Kinda curious to see how it is from the eyes of a parent rather than someone on clubs and bars holiday!

It soon adds up, this doesn't include what my daughter and boyfriend spent separately. Maybe 300 between them?

 

["ibizatom"]

I'm also big into trance, and have found that the fan base for certain nights is aging rapidly. Went on a trance boat party a few years back, and at 24 my mate felt like the youngest on the boat by some distance!

I'm also a massive trance fan. Think that's more the genre than ibiza as a whole. I'm 29. My friends that are into trance are my age or older. I always go connect and the Trance room at cream and it's always 30+. Prefer it like that cause it's not full of 18 year old telling me songs are "sick" or bandwagon people pretending they like the tunes