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Caution Among Hoteliers Regarding the Ibiza Airport Expansion Project

 

The Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Business Federation (FEHIF) does not yet have a clear position regarding the airport expansion project promoted by AENA. This was acknowledged on Friday by the federation’s president, María Costa. She stated that FEHIF will not take a position on the matter until all the relevant information is available.

Following FEHIF’s annual general assembly, Costa explained that representatives of the hotel federation recently held a meeting with the airport director, Marta Torres, to learn about the “courses of action” planned by AENA for the infrastructure. However, Costa also noted that FEHIF is still waiting for “a document outlining the projected growth and the basis for the modernization plan over the next 20 or 30 years.”

The president of FEHIF stated that hoteliers in Ibiza and Formentera support “anything that improves the organization, safety, comfort, and well-being” of the airport for both tourists and other users. However, she made it clear that FEHIF will wait “to know all the facts before taking a position.”

During the assembly, the issue of water supply in both Ibiza and Formentera was also discussed. On this matter, Costa explained that the federation is “focused on finding solutions to complete the water cycle and make better use of desalinated water.” As a result, the support of these business owners for the construction of a fourth desalination plant in Ibiza was confirmed. According to Costa, this infrastructure should help “relieve pressure on the aquifers.”

Finally, the hotel federation also debated the issue of illegal tourist accommodation in the Pitiusas. In this regard, María Costa explained after the assembly that hoteliers make a “very positive” assessment of the work carried out by the Consell d’Eivissa and local councils. However, she also stated that the federation believes “further work is needed to find a balance between tourists and residents.” A balance which, she added, “is very necessary for these islands.”

Fuente: periodicodeibiza.es

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Ibiza’s Hotel Federation Begins a New Chapter: Santiago García Ramón Takes Over

 

Few organizations have as much influence on the economy of Ibiza and Formentera as the Hotel Business Federation. Although it usually works away from the spotlight, its role is essential in facilitating dialogue between the tourism sector, public administrations, and civil society. Now, the organization is entering a new chapter.

Santiago García Ramón has been appointed as the new manager of the Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Federation, succeeding Manuel Sendino, who has begun a gradual transition process ahead of his retirement. The appointment was ratified during the Annual General Assembly held this Friday at the Parador de Ibiza.

The change comes at a particularly significant moment for the Balearic tourism sector, which is currently immersed in debates surrounding sustainability, housing, competitiveness, and the transformation of the tourism model.

A generational transition

Until now, García Ramón had maintained a close relationship with the organization. In recent years, he served as secretary of the Sant Antoni and Bay Hotel Business Association and was also a member of the Federation’s board of directors.

According to statements reported by Diario de Ibiza, the possibility of taking over the management role arose after Manuel Sendino expressed last year his intention to begin a gradual retirement process due to his age. The board of directors subsequently considered García Ramón to have the right profile to assume the new responsibility.

Modernization and new challenges

The arrival of the new manager coincides with an internal modernization process that the Federation has been developing over recent years.

Among the initiatives recently promoted are the renovation of its offices, the update of the corporate website, and the strengthening of the communications department — measures aimed at adapting the organization to the evolving needs of the sector.

In statements published by Diario de Ibiza, García Ramón said he is approaching this new stage with “enthusiasm and responsibility,” highlighting precisely the modernization efforts undertaken by the Federation.

The main challenge: remaining useful to the sector

The hotel industry continues to be one of the main economic drivers of Ibiza and Formentera. Thousands of jobs and a significant part of the islands’ business activity depend directly or indirectly on the evolution of tourism. However, the current context is very different from that of just a decade ago.

Sustainability, regulation of tourist accommodation, the shortage of housing for workers, digitalization, and growing international competition have expanded the responsibilities of business organizations.

In this context, one of the key priorities of the new management team will be to strengthen connections with members. As García Ramón explained to Diario de Ibiza, one of the main challenges is ensuring that business owners perceive the Federation as a truly useful tool for representing and defending their interests before public administrations and society.

A key voice for the future of the islands

Beyond hotels, the Federation actively participates in some of the major debates that will shape the future of Ibiza and Formentera.

Managing tourism growth, improving infrastructure, ensuring destination sustainability, and attracting talent are all issues that require ongoing dialogue between institutions and the private sector.

The appointment of Santiago García Ramón therefore represents more than just an organizational change. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for an institution that is expected to continue playing a relevant role in one of the archipelago’s most strategic industries. In territories where tourism shapes a large part of the economy, the ability to build representation and consensus is just as important as business activity itself.

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Almost 90% of Ibiza hotels will maintain their workforce this season

 

Los datos reflejan un escenario de estabilidad en la demanda con un más de un 50% de los establecimientos

La Federación Empresarial Hotelera de Ibiza y Formentera (FEHIF) ha presentado los resultados de su encuesta de inicio de temporada 2026, elaborada a partir de 92 respuestas que representan a aproximadamente 120 establecimientos turísticos de las Pitiusas.

Los datos reflejan un escenario de estabilidad en la demanda, con un 54,3 % de los establecimientos que prevé una temporada similar a la anterior, mientras que un 32,6 % considera que será algo mejor, lo que apunta a una ligera tendencia positiva.

En cuanto a las reservas, la mayoría de los establecimientos señala que la anticipación se mantiene en niveles similares a años anteriores (53,3 %), aunque una parte relevante detecta una tendencia a reservar con mayor antelación.

Respecto al empleo, el 86,8 % de los establecimientos prevé mantener su plantilla, lo que confirma la estabilidad del sector en términos laborales.

No obstante, la encuesta pone de manifiesto los principales retos estructurales del sector, entre los que destacan: Aumento de costes energéticos y suministros (75 %); Falta de personal por dificultades de acceso a la vivienda (68 %); Incertidumbre internacional (59 %); Aumento de costes laborales (56 %), y Competencia desleal (50 %).

Desde FEHIF se valora que el inicio de temporada se presenta en una línea continuista, con una demanda sólida, aunque condicionada por factores estructurales que siguen impactando en la operativa diaria de los establecimientos.

Source: periodicodeibiza.es

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Optimism in Ibiza and Formentera over the “strong start” to the tourist season

 

Hotel occupancy remains at levels similar to last year, although bad weather slowed last-minute bookings during the May bank holiday, according to the manager of the Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Business Federation.

Ibiza and Formentera have kicked off the tourist season “with generally positive feelings,” although this start has also been marked by the gradual opening of establishments and some uncertainty due to the international context. Both the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands (CAEB) and the Small and Medium Business Association of Ibiza and Formentera (PIMEEF) agreed that the start has been positive, with favorable expectations for the coming months.

In this regard, José Antonio Roselló, vice president of CAEB in Ibiza and Formentera, pointed out this Tuesday that although May 1 traditionally marks the official start of the season, this year activity has begun in a more gradual way. The fact that Easter fell later in the calendar influenced the opening schedules, meaning not all establishments were operating at the start of the season.

Even so, the assessment of the first few days is positive, both among businesses that have already opened and those planning to do so in the coming weeks. In this sense, the business association highlighted that movement is already noticeable in the streets and on the roads, a key indicator for the sector. They stressed that this increase in activity confirms that the tourism engine is beginning to operate and is doing so, generally speaking, in a favorable way.

Forecasts

Forecasts for the season as a whole are also encouraging. According to CAEB, the “overall outlook” is good, and expectations point to a solid season for the hotel industry and all sectors linked to tourism. However, they warned about external factors that could alter this scenario.

Specifically, the international geopolitical situation is causing concern among business owners. According to them, the possibility of prolonged conflicts or issues related to energy supply and rising costs is seen as a “Sword of Damocles” hanging over the season. Despite this, they insisted that, as of today, initial impressions remain positive.

For his part, Manuel Sendino, manager of the Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Business Federation (FEHIF), said that the May bank holiday period delivered acceptable results, although affected by the weather. He explained that advance bookings helped maintain good occupancy levels during the weekend and the following days, similar to last year’s figures for the same period, which reached 72%. However, he noted that bad weather prevented stronger results.

“The lack of last-minute bookings, which are usually common at this time of year, was one of the factors limiting occupancy growth,” lamented Sendino.

It should be remembered that the 2025 season ended with an average tourist occupancy rate of 82%.

Meanwhile, Alfonso Rojo, president of PIMEEF Ibiza, also positively assessed the start of the season, highlighting the effort made by many businesses that started operating before Easter. “It has been a gradual start, with many colleagues making a significant effort to get everything ready beforehand,” said Rojo, recalling that although the calendar marks May 1 as the official start, the reality for many businesses is more complex, as many companies have already been operating for weeks.

However, he also acknowledged that not all businesses can afford to open from day one. During Easter, approximately 65% of restaurants and shops were open, according to business association estimates, which already allowed them to gauge the start of the season. Since then, activity has continued to grow progressively.

In this regard, he explained that around 70% of businesses in Ibiza and Formentera operate exclusively during the tourist season, and many establishments choose to wait until late April or early May, coinciding with increased demand and the start of major events and nightlife openings.

External factors

Despite the positive outlook, PIMEEF also shared concerns about factors such as inflation and rising costs, although for now they remain cautious.

“There is nothing telling us this will be a bad season,” admitted Rojo, emphasizing that the sector is prepared to face the summer.

The start of the tourist season in Ibiza and Formentera leaves a positive balance overall, with a gradual but solid start and expectations of growth. However, as business associations pointed out, the evolution of the coming months will depend on external factors that continue to keep the sector alert.

Source: periodicodeibiza.es

Source: periodicodeibiza.es

 

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30% of seasonal permanent employees are turning down job offers from hotels in Ibiza

 

Employers say workers cite housing access problems or are looking for better job opportunities.

Up to 30% of fixed-discontinuous workers who travel every summer from mainland Spain to work in Ibiza have turned down their hotel jobs on the island this year.

Business owners explain that these workers justify their decision mainly because of difficulties accessing housing, or because they are seeking jobs with better working conditions or higher salaries.

The president of the Balearic Hotel Managers Association, Alicia Reina, explains that this is happening especially in senior and management positions, “which require higher qualifications.” Reina stresses that these are not isolated cases, but that “the situation is becoming increasingly widespread across much of the hotel sector in Ibiza and Formentera.”

Despite these last-minute setbacks, hotel chains are still managing to complete their staffing needs in positions requiring lower qualifications.

For his part, the manager of the Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Federation, Manuel Sendino, acknowledges that attracting staff is difficult, but explains that in many cases these were temporary workers whose contracts were upgraded to fixed-discontinuous positions, although in reality “they had no intention of returning for another tourist season on the island.”

Hoteliers say that this year they are receiving many CVs from workers interested in spending the season in Ibiza, although they anticipate that the problem of “poaching” employees between establishments will continue.

Source: cadenaser.com

 

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Federación Empresarial Hotelera de Ibiza y Formentera
Calle Historiador José Clapés nº 4, 1º,
07800, Ibiza. Illes Balears.
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