Spain’s party island faces an uncertain summer

Europeans flock to Ibiza for its summer parties. White sand beaches and the world’s hottest clubs typically bring 3 million tourists to the island between May and September, while the population in winter is just 148,000.

Spain’s government has only just restarted travel to the island, and while bars and restaurants are open with limited capacity, large-scale events are still banned. Some of those who make their living with music — Ibiza’s lifeblood — are writing off 2020.

Many Ibizans live for the full year on the money they make during the summer months. Tourists spent $17.8 billion in the Balearic Islands last year, where Ibiza is the best-known spot.

Meanwhile, hotels are imposing strict hygiene measures, with mandatory temperature checks, rooms left unoccupied to space guests apart and disinfection of vehicles after each use.

If and when tourists make it back to Ibiza, a very different island experience awaits them.

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