The eighth edition of the international summit will take place from 28 to 30 October, bringing together experts, institutions and businesses to discuss sustainable tourism, marine conservation, water resources and mobility on the island.

Ibiza will host the eighth edition of HIC Summit from Wednesday, 28 October, to Friday, 30 October 2026, with a programme focused on some of the island's most pressing environmental, social and tourism-related challenges.

Held under the theme Solutions Inspired by Nature, the international gathering will bring together specialists from research, education, tourism, gastronomy, marine conservation, business and public administration.

The programme will explore how nature-inspired innovation, responsible resource management and cooperation between different sectors could contribute to a more balanced tourism model.

Water management, vehicle circulation, marine biodiversity and the relationship between tourism and local communities will feature among the subjects discussed during the three-day event.

Three Days Across Three Ibiza Venues

HIC Summit 2026 will take place at three locations, with each day dedicated to a different area of discussion.

28 October: Gastronomy and Local Identity

The programme opens on Wednesday, 28 October, at the Balearic Islands School of Hospitality in Ibiza with the Slow Food & Culinary Experience.

This opening day will focus on sustainable gastronomy, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste and strengthening connections between producers, chefs and the communities where they work.

Chefs and specialists will explore how food can express local identity while supporting more responsible production and consumption.

The programme places particular emphasis on the role of local products and the relationship between culinary traditions, culture and the natural environment.

29 October: Marine Conservation and the Blue Economy

On Thursday, 29 October, TheHUB Ibiza in Santa Eulària des Riu will host the session dedicated to seas, oceans and science inspired by nature.

The programme will examine marine biodiversity, conservation, the blue economy and ways of drawing inspiration from natural systems to develop solutions to environmental challenges.

Researchers, environmental specialists, businesses and representatives of destinations will contribute perspectives on protecting marine resources while identifying opportunities for local communities.

The day's discussions will also consider how scientific knowledge and nature-inspired innovation can influence the design and management of future tourism experiences.

30 October: The Eighth HIC Forum

The summit concludes on Friday, 30 October, at Colegio Mestral with the eighth HIC Forum.

This final day will address the challenges facing Ibiza and other tourist destinations, bringing together topics that connect environmental protection, economic activity and residents' quality of life.

The agenda includes education and youth participation, regenerative agriculture, water management, marine heritage and sustainable mobility.

One of the island's particularly relevant subjects will be the regulation of vehicle access and circulation during periods of high tourist demand, with discussions examining how mobility policies could help reduce congestion and pressure on the territory.

Water resources will also feature prominently, including the responsible use of water and approaches to managing resources in a context of environmental pressure.

International Speakers and Local Expertise

The confirmed participants include specialists from research institutions, tourism organisations, environmental initiatives and public administration.

Among them is Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8 and a professor at Arizona State University, whose work focuses on biomimicry, an approach that draws inspiration from nature to address human challenges.

Joan Calafat, director general of Water Resources for the Balearic Government, is also among the confirmed speakers. His department works on water management, including the reuse of treated wastewater and the potential use of reclaimed water to replenish Ibiza's aquifers.

Other confirmed participants include Bárbara Lang-Lengton, director of biodiversity at Jumeirah Group and responsible for the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project, and Carlos Casilla, chef at the Barro restaurant in Ávila.

The wider programme is expected to include additional speakers from Spain and abroad, with the complete line-up and further details to be announced by the organisers.

HIC Talentum Awards to Recognise Positive Contributions

The 2026 edition will also include the HIC Talentum Awards, recognising professionals and organisations whose work contributes positively to society and the environment.

The awards form part of the summit's wider aim of highlighting ideas, initiatives and people working towards more sustainable economic and social models.

By bringing together different disciplines, the organisers seek to encourage collaboration and the exchange of knowledge between researchers, businesses, institutions and community representatives.

Rethinking Tourism Through Nature and Cooperation

Since its creation in 2019, HIC Summit has aimed to promote innovation and regenerative approaches to tourism, connecting environmental responsibility with economic development and social well-being.

The 2026 programme reflects the challenges facing Ibiza as a destination, from managing water resources and protecting marine ecosystems to addressing congestion and the pressures associated with seasonal visitor numbers.

Rather than focusing on tourism in isolation, the summit seeks to examine how infrastructure, education, business activity, conservation and community participation interact.

The eighth edition will take place from 28 to 30 October, offering three days of presentations, discussions and professional exchanges on how tourism and the natural environment can coexist more sustainably.