Ibiza’s holiday-rental sector will gather at Hotel Torre del Mar in Platja d’en Bossa on Tuesday 27 October for the 12th Ibiza Holiday Rental Congress, a professional event examining the future of tourist accommodation on the island.
Organised by the Association of Holiday Rental Accommodation of Ibiza and Formentera (AVAT) and the Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses of Ibiza and Formentera (PIMEEF), with funding from the Consell d’Eivissa, the congress brings together industry representatives, researchers, sustainability specialists and public officials.
The programme focuses on five major challenges for the sector: family tourism, environmental sustainability, the regulation of tourist accommodation, market developments and the growing use of artificial intelligence.
Family Tourism and Sustainability Open the Programme
Registration is scheduled to begin at 09:45, followed by the official opening at 10:00. The opening is expected to include representatives of the organising bodies and public institutions.
At 10:15, the first panel, Family Tourism: A Strategic Opportunity for Ibiza, will examine the role holiday rentals play in attracting families and contributing to the island’s tourism economy. Participants are scheduled to include Juan Miguel Costa, the Consell’s director of tourism promotion; AVAT president José Antonio Llano; Luis Falcón of InAtlas; and Carmen Sarah Einsle of the University of Alicante.
The discussion comes amid concerns within the tourism industry about Ibiza’s ability to retain family visitors as accommodation costs and the island’s tourism offering continue to evolve. AVAT has argued that holiday rentals are an important option for this market, although the sector’s position represents an industry perspective rather than an independent assessment of tourism trends.
A second panel, scheduled for 12:00, will address Sustainability and Competitiveness in Tourist Accommodation. The discussion is expected to consider reducing environmental impacts, applying circular-economy principles and responding to changing regulatory requirements and visitor expectations.
The announced participants include Alessandro Gallo of Green Key Spain, Sally Riera of IbizaPreservation and Joan Guasch of NetIbiza.
Mariano Juan to Address Tourism Planning and Illegal Accommodation
At 13:15, Mariano Juan, first vice-president of the Consell d’Eivissa, is scheduled to deliver a central presentation on tourism planning and the future of holiday accommodation in Ibiza.
His planned topics include the island’s Tourism Areas Intervention Plan (PIAT), the management of tourist accommodation places, regulatory challenges and efforts to tackle illegal tourist rentals.
The debate over illegal accommodation remains a significant issue for the island, where authorities and tourism businesses have sought to distinguish between legally authorised rentals and properties operating without the necessary permissions. The congress provides a forum for discussing the existing framework and possible future approaches, but the programme itself does not establish any new regulations or policy decisions.
The morning sessions are scheduled to finish at 14:00.
Afternoon Session to Examine the Holiday-Rental Market
The congress is due to resume at 16:30 with a panel entitled The Future of the Sector and the Evolution of Ibiza’s Holiday Rental Market.
The session will examine market data, recent developments and possible future scenarios for holiday rentals on the island. Announced participants include Clive Heathcote of AVAT, representatives of Holidu and AirDNA, and Juan Franch Fluxà of the University of the Balearic Islands.
The discussion is intended to provide a data-based perspective on the market’s current position and prospects. Its conclusions may be relevant to property owners, accommodation managers and policymakers assessing how demand, supply and regulation are shaping the sector.
A networking break is scheduled for 17:45 before the final panel.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Tourist Accommodation
At 18:15, the programme turns to Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of the Tourism Sector.
Fabián González of Andersen Consulting and Joan Barceló of World2Meet are scheduled to discuss how artificial intelligence is being applied to tourism businesses. Topics include generative AI in customer service, process automation, revenue management, personalised marketing, and the opportunities and regulatory risks associated with these technologies.
For holiday-rental operators, these tools could affect how enquiries are handled, how prices are managed and how properties are marketed. The panel is intended to explore those applications alongside the potential challenges of introducing AI into tourism operations.
The congress is scheduled to conclude at 19:30 with final conclusions and closing remarks.
Event Details
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Event: XII Ibiza Holiday Rental Congress
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Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026
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Time: 09:45 to 19:30
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Venue: Hotel Torre del Mar, Carrer de Carles Roman Ferrer, s/n, Platja d’en Bossa
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Organisers: AVAT and PIMEEF
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Funding: Consell d’Eivissa
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Registration enquiries: info@avat-ibiza.com or +34 971 302 911
The congress brings together the holiday-rental industry and public-sector representatives at a time when Ibiza’s accommodation market faces continuing debate over sustainability, regulation, affordability and the balance between different types of tourism. The discussions are expected to contribute perspectives from the sector and its stakeholders, while any policy changes will depend on subsequent decisions by the relevant authorities.