Ibiza 2016 A year of Change
Ibiza 2016 will go down in history as one of the iconic years in Ibiza’s recent history.
The biggest story by far was the closing of Space after a 27 year run in Play Den Bossa. What was the World’s most iconic club has now come to an end.
Those that have been will have fond memories of what was a world institution for dance music. Those that never had the opportunity will hear of its greatness and stories of that one day / night in Space which will be passed down the generations for years to come.
These will become tales of folklore, of myth and of legend, quite fitting for a club that made its stamp not only on Ibiza but Europe and the whole world.
So what will become of what is Space? Well it will be handed back to the owners of Ushuaia (they own the building) who will no doubt turn it into a VIP driven club to complement what they have already, creating a one-stop EDM theme park of sorts.
Space, Playa den Bossa, Ibiza has closed forever…
We shall have to see what 2017 holds for the reality of this but Ushuaia by Night as we named it is coming with great fanfare and expectations.
As for those behind Space the rumour mill is in full swing with expectations they will open a hotel / daytime club in San Antonio by 2018. More news on this as we get it.
Across the island other changes took place. San Antonio decided a crackdown on PR’s, ticket sellers and noise was to be high on the agenda. On paper it looked like changing the face of the town forever but the reality, however, was little more than a few fines being handed out and some slaps on the wrist so to the untrained eye nothing changed.
Ibiza Rocks hotel has however, had its license temporarily suspended due to breaking noise regs and the re-positioned stage is covering an escape route but we have no doubt that it will be business as usual in 2017 after a few tweaks have been made.
San Antonio huge changes on paper in reality business as usual
Several other bars and restaurants had their licenses revoked or were told their licence didn’t cover them for activities they were doing. The biggest of these was Bora Bora Beach Club which has become an institution for many visiting the island.
Visitor numbers hit an all time high in 2016 despite the introduction of the Eco-tax from which the funds raised are to be used to help the island become more sustainable to tourism and to protect it for years to come. What this means time will tell.
More protection is being discussed for Ibiza’s biggest natural resource thePosidonia Oceanica (sea grass) which helps make the sea off Ibiza so marine diverse, clean and to this we expect more limits on where boats can drop anchor over the coming months and years.
Posidonia Oceanica giving life to the Mediterranean Picture Sus Sanchez Ripoll
So Ibiza 2016 has been a year of change, some big and some small but this is what the island has done for thousands of years. It evolves and changes to suit its current needs and uses.
What will summer 2017 bring? Who knows but we will be here updating you all as always.
In the meantime as summer 2016 draws to a close with many of the bars and clubs closing the island is still here and the winter months although a little quieter still offer a great place to visit and explore with far more going on that you would imagine.
