Sant Joan Mayor Says Adults-Only Tourism Is Not the Model the Municipality Wants

08 November 2026

The mayor of Sant Joan de Labritja, Tania Marí, has defended family tourism as the preferred model for the municipality, expressing concern about the growing number of hotels adopting an adults-only approach in areas including Portinatx and Port de Sant Miquel.

In an interview published by Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera on 8 November 2026, Marí said the municipality wanted to preserve its traditional appeal to families, arguing that this type of visitor contributes more directly to local restaurants, shops and businesses outside the hotels.

The mayor also discussed the progress of several long-awaited infrastructure projects, including the Portinatx wastewater treatment plant, the new Vial J in Sant Miquel and the planned demolition of the unfinished structure at Cala d’en Serra.

Sant Joan Wants to Preserve Its Family Tourism Identity

Marí acknowledged that the 2026 summer season had been mixed across the municipality. While some businesses reported particularly strong results, others experienced quieter periods and fluctuations in visitor numbers.

She identified a change in the hotel offering as one of the developments affecting the traditional tourism model in northern Ibiza. In particular, she pointed to Portinatx and some establishments in Port de Sant Miquel, where hotels have increasingly adopted adults-only concepts.

The mayor said this was not the type of tourism the municipality wanted to prioritise, maintaining that Sant Joan had traditionally been a destination for families.

She explained that family visitors often spend time beyond their accommodation, going out for meals, visiting souvenir shops and purchasing items for children and relatives. In her view, this creates wider economic benefits for local businesses.

Marí also encouraged the hotel sector to consider returning to family-oriented accommodation options, particularly for visitors from markets such as the United Kingdom and Germany.

Concerns About the Impact on Local Businesses

The mayor said her concerns were based on conversations with restaurant owners, shopkeepers and other local businesses.

Referring specifically to Portinatx, she said some business owners had noticed fewer people walking around the resort since the expansion of adults-only hotels.

She suggested that some couples staying in these establishments might visit the beach but choose to eat elsewhere or travel to Ibiza Town rather than use restaurants in the surrounding area.

Marí stressed that Portinatx, Port de Sant Miquel and Cala de Sant Vicent had historically been associated with family holidays and that she believed this visitor profile was becoming less prominent.

Her comments represent the mayor's assessment of changing visitor behaviour and its potential effect on local commerce. They do not amount to a prohibition on adults-only hotels or a new municipal restriction on their operation.

Portinatx Wastewater Treatment Plant Moves Forward

One of the main infrastructure projects discussed was the long-awaited improvement to wastewater treatment in Portinatx.

Marí explained that the definitive treatment plant has required extensive technical documentation and approvals from different departments, including water resources and coastal authorities.

The municipality has also awarded a contract for a provisional wastewater treatment plant, allowing improvements to the existing system while the definitive facility is developed.

The provisional installation will be built on municipal land in Carrer de ses Formigues. The contract was awarded in October 2026 for approximately €1.97 million, with a seven-month construction period.

Once the temporary plant is operational, the existing treatment facility can be dismantled and construction of the definitive Portinatx plant can proceed.

The definitive project, including a new outfall, is being developed by the Balearic Government's water authorities.

New Vial J to Change Traffic Circulation in Sant Miquel

Another significant project is Vial J, a new road infrastructure intended to improve traffic circulation in Sant Miquel de Balansat.

The works were awarded in October for approximately €2.07 million, with a planned construction period of 14 months.

The new route is designed to divert part of the traffic currently passing through the village centre, helping reorganise vehicle movements and incorporate the basic services planned for the area.

Marí highlighted the administrative work required to bring the project forward, including the preparation of the construction and expropriation documentation and the completion of payments to affected property owners.

The project receives financial support from the Consell Insular d’Eivissa, with the remaining contribution provided by Sant Joan Town Hall.

Demolition of the Unfinished Structure at Cala d’en Serra

Marí also confirmed that work to demolish the abandoned, unfinished structure at Cala d’en Serra was expected to begin in November.

The building has remained an unfinished landmark on the northern Ibiza coastline for decades. Its removal is being managed by the Consell Insular d’Eivissa, with funding that includes the Sustainable Tourism Tax.

The project involves more than simply demolishing the structure. It also includes waste management and the restoration and renaturalisation of the surrounding area.

The objective is to remove the unfinished development and recover the coastal landscape. The demolition and restoration contract has an overall execution period of 12 months.

Desalinated Water for Port de Sant Miquel

Water supply was another issue addressed during the interview.

Marí said construction had begun on a regulating reservoir for desalinated water in Sant Miquel, with the project receiving 100% funding for its execution through the Sustainable Tourism Tax.

The reservoir is intended to be the first step towards building a pipeline that will supply desalinated water to Port de Sant Miquel.

The mayor described the absence of desalinated water in this established tourist area as a longstanding infrastructure problem.

She also said the municipality had recently taken a proposal to the plenary session concerning the municipalisation of the Port de Sant Miquel water supply network.

Sa Cala Cinema Planned for a New Cultural Role

The future of the cinema and theatre at Sa Cala was another subject discussed.

Marí confirmed that the rehabilitation project was being drafted, covering both the interior and the roof of the building.

The work must address the condition and structural stability of the property while respecting the requirements of the Consell's heritage department.

The mayor said the intention was not simply to renovate the building but to give it a wider cultural purpose.

She envisaged the restored venue hosting cultural activities and becoming an important meeting place for Sa Cala and the wider municipality.

Local Police, Road Safety and Emergency Services

Marí also discussed public safety and emergency response across the extensive municipality.

She said the local police workforce had increased each year during the current legislature, responding to residents' requests for a stronger municipal presence.

Road safety remains another concern, particularly on the roads to Sa Cala and Portinatx, where the mayor said illegal motorcycle and car races had been a longstanding problem.

Following a local security meeting, the municipality requested cooperation from the Government Delegation, Traffic authorities and the Guardia Civil to address the issue.

The installation of average-speed cameras is being processed, with Marí specifically confirming that one would be installed on the road to Sa Cala.

She also called for a greater year-round Guardia Civil presence, explaining that the municipality's size makes it important for officers to be able to respond quickly to incidents in different areas.

On emergency medical services, she said Sant Joan now had an ambulance service operating throughout the year for at least 12 hours a day, extending provision that had previously been available for approximately eight hours a day during the summer.

Municipal Budgets and the Remaining Work of the Legislature

Looking ahead to 2027, Marí said the municipality was already preparing its next annual budget.

She indicated that the council normally aims to approve its budget around 15 to 20 December and confirmed that the municipality would not increase taxes.

She also highlighted two reductions in the local property tax rate, known as IBI, during the current legislature.

The mayor described the administration's progress as positive, pointing to the projects that have been advanced with support from the Consell and the Balearic Government.

Among the other works mentioned were improvements to Sant Vicent, including public-realm enhancements, and the road improvements already carried out along the Benirràs route.

Marí said the municipality had also prepared the project for a new school and nursery in Sant Llorenç, with the heritage department's approval. The next steps now depend on the Balearic Government's education department.

With the next election scheduled for 29 November, she said the immediate priority was completing outstanding projects and fulfilling commitments made to residents.

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