Ibiza youth rally against soaring tourist numbers at crowded Cala Saladeta beach

Approximately one hundred residents gathered on the iconic Cala Saladeta beach to voice frustration over the torrent of tourists that have transformed Ibiza’s beaches and nightlife. The demonstration was coordinated by the Ibiza Youth Association, a nonprofit founded this year by young islanders who feel their culture and public areas are being eroded. Protesters demanded “tourism degrowth” and opposed a proposed expansion of Ibiza’s airport, arguing that the island’s roads, water supply and waste systems cannot cope with July-August visitor peaks.

Luxury-travel specialist Simon Grannville explained that the seasonal rental market has driven up year-round costs, leaving many service workers unable to afford housing. Kevin Schrenck added that affluent foreign buyers further squeeze locals, while a broader European backlash against overtourism mirrors similar complaints in Venice, the Amalfi Coast and Barcelona.