Up to this weekend, the multi-billion euro nightclub and hospitality industry on the famous party island of Ibiza, did not know what regulations were required of them to open this summer prompting frustration and worry about the season ahead. Promoters, club owners, artists and civil servants had no idea what was going to happen as no official guidelines were issued, hence the lack of any solid decision making emanating from the island. We did get a few under the radar soft openings, and kite flying ticket promotions, but some could have been viewed as technically in breach of the alarm state laws, which would have allowed local police to shut them down immediately. But none were forced to close or fined and because of this, other more timid and independent owners started to re-open again. Also this week a pivotal piece of the Ibiza 2020 summer season jigsaw puzzle came into focus when Madrid hinted at the strict regulations club owners would have to adhere to before they could open again.
Unfortunately for those business owners who were brave enough to believe in hope, free spirit and resist the associated fear of Covid 19, the new normal proposals have all but wrecked their chances of opening this season as normal. The world has changed utterly and nothing is going to be quiet the same as it used to be - so don't come to Ibiza this summer expecting it to be the Ibiza of old, that day I'm afraid is gone, and the clubbing industry faces tough challenges ahead if it is to survive. Right now any entertainment business than involves customers standing in close proximity of each other, is in danger of extinction and I'm afraid that realisation is beginning to dawn on certain sectors of the islands population.
Some conspiracy theorists will maintain its a property grab by banks and developers, and I'm guessing the majority of small to medium businesses leased by foreign nationals, will not survive the lean winter months after running out of cash flow and unable to renew their leases. This will allow new business ideas to open and operate in the venues that fall victim to Covid 19 losses this year. The local Ibicenco businessmen, can just about afford to lock down and hibernate this year and many have already done so, with the island resembles a ghost town as empty streets and hotel rooms loom. The astute Ibicencos are not expecting the tourists to return at their normal rates any time soon and are now focussing on protecting the islands low risk Covid 19 status and preparing for Ibiza 2021. The Spanish are used to living simply, so they can afford to ride out this summer, but it will be tight for everybody especially those in the dance music industry, confined to barracks and no income on the island. The industry needs to do something about protecting these workers, there is enough money around to fund emergency support schemes - now would be a good time to organise one.
This viewpoint is also been shared by the islands most powerful business group the Matutes family who are taking a responsible and safe outlook with regard to Covid 19, the complete opposite of the UK, who continue to pursue a herd immunity response to the virus. Already Greece has stated that they will not allow UK visitors into their country because of their high risk status as Europe's worst managed region. So while some UK tourists will make the pilgrimage to the island when free travel between Spanish regions resumes on June 21, they will expect to undergo lengthy screening and testing processes which could see the introduction of controversial ID tags. In my opinion, Spain will encourage low risk tourists while placing obstacles in the path of certain countries as a deterrent not to come, they would rather the tourist make the decision to cancel, as its not advisable to bite the hand that feeds. But with airlines already cancelling flights for July due to low bookings, it looks like the demand by UK tourists for holidays abroad is weak, which in turn is bad news for the prospect of clubs opening this summer, as its the British and American tourists that spend big in this area.
Right now the island is divided between those that want to open their tourist businesses and hotels and those that feel its best to pull the shutters down on the season, write it off as a loss, and enjoy the freedom of a tourist free summer and all the advantages that will bring to the islands fragile environment. In my opinion as each day goes by, the side that wants to remain closed this summer is growing in size, as its predominantly a local one. The, let's stay open and hope for the best concept, is an opinion that is found in the non Spanish community, as they are the ones paying rent and in desperate need of earning an income to survive. Unlike the local Spanish workforce many of them don't qualify for assistance from the Government, as they operate under the radar and/or employed seasonally.
So where does this leave the Ibiza 2020 summer season? I expect the island to cater mainly to national tourists and those from Germany and Northern Europe who love the island not for its clubs alone, but for its rich culture, nature and beaches. Small will be beautiful and local restaurants, bars and a number of venues will do well, as long as they don't have any incidents that may damage brand Ibiza or bring shame to the island. All it takes is one drunken, isolated incident in the much maligned West End of San Antonio for newspaper editors around the world to print negative headlines about the island and its tourism industry. For the real facts are, that Ibiza is doing an exemplary job in managing its tourism sector from a health and safety perspective. Its a bitter pill for many to swallow, but they are doing it for the greater good of the islands long term outlook and to be in the best position possible to adapt and cater for the new normal of the future. Just this weekend police in Ibiza were forced to close Cala Bassa beach due to overcrowding by local residents, as lack of social distancing also came close to shutting down Salinas beach.
For those clubs and bars that do decide to open, they risk running the gauntlet of the Covid 19 police and an island not comfortable with the virus and contagion risks spread by tourists, especially those from high risk areas. While they should be ok with national tourists and those who understand and value local culture without being drunk, the mood on the ground in Ibiza is unfavourable to any of the big clubs opening. One of the golden rules of living in Ibiza, is not to bother or disturb your neighbour, especially if they are Ibicenco, so any club related disturbance will be reported and shut down with force immediately. In my opinion, anything that happens from a music and clubbing perspective this summer will happen spontaneously, which I have found is always the best way to enjoy Ibiza. Those that can be discreet, socially aware and relaxed about the whole thing will enjoy Ibiza in a rare "tranquilo" moment during the summer.
In Catalan culture there is a term of language they like to use a lot, Poc a Poc, which means, little by little. Taking small steps, watching and patiently waiting to see how a situation develops around them. The tide is definitely turning on local opinion as to opening this season, as it's becoming clearer as each day passes, that the mass tourism model is not going to recover in time for the clubs to open this year. While a few clubs and venues have been positive and hopeful to date with their plans to open, I would guess that after the publication of restrictive and costly guidelines required by the nightlife industry to open, they will be having serious second thoughts about it now. As we fast approach the month of June, here in Spain, there is a real sense of achievement after the success of a strict lockdown, and after a few spikes in Covid 19 cases in recent days, the Spanish are not taking any risks and I get the feeling they are keen to prioritise the health of their people over that of the tourist economy. So hold tight, don't make any hasty decisions and wait until last minute to make a decision on a holiday to Ibiza this summer as the Covid19 wind is blowing chang by the day.