On Friday, 12th of March, the music composer and producer Thomas Anders (known as the vocalist of the pop duo Modern Talking) will host a media event at the stand and will present the program of events in Ibiza for 2010. Visitors at the ITB will be informed about sportive activities in Ibiza as the big nautical event “Ruta de la Sal” and the program “Kimros Ibiza Beaches Siglo XXI”. Also they can learn about the hiking trails of San Juan, the cycling routes of Santa Eulalia, the new Nordic Walking possibilites in San Antonio, about the Ibiza Iron Man triathlon, about Adlib fashion and the Medieval Festival.
So in conclusion: The Council of Ibiza is presenting the island as a super-duper tourist destination with super-duper beaches, sports events, fashion and medieval ambience at one of the biggest international tourist fairs. Ok. But wait a second! Is there not missing something very, very essential?
What’s about the other important touristic aspects of Ibiza? Namely clubbing and the quality of the nightlife that is unique in Europe, if not in the whole world. According to the International Dance Music Awards in Miami this year again 3 of the 5 best clubs in the world are located in Ibiza. Is that not something that should be communicated more intensly at tourist fairs?
The Council is very aware about the fact that the German tourists are “muy muy importante” for Ibiza. But then why they forget the thousands of young Germans who are true Ibiza fans, and coming to the island since many many years? One thing is fore sure: They absolutely don’t come to Ibiza for Nordic Walking! They come to see Sven Väth at Amnesia, or Guy Gerber at Space, or Erick Morillo at Pacha, or Luciano at the beach. They definitely don’t come to Ibiza to join cycling pensioners in Santa Eulalia! They just want to go crazy and have as much as fun as possible at some of the best parties on the planet!
Doesn’t it seem a bit strange that Ibiza’s nightlife is not even mentioned at the ITB? Especially since Berlin is known as one of the main clubbing capitols in Europe and thousands of potential tourists could be reached with a campaign? Why the Council does not promote Ibiza as a place that is really special in terms of modern culture? Why the Minister of Tourism does not highlight these aspects which distinguish the island from so many other tourist destinations (which, by the way, also have some beautiful beaches and cultural heritage).
Clubbing is a phenomenon of modern culture! Ibiza is the most international melting pot for contemporary youth culture, and it’s the place where modern electronice dance music is produced and promoted worldwide. Strange that the Council seems to hide some cultural aspects of Ibiza, and what a shame that the authorities don’t promote them at the international tourist fairs this spring as something that makes the island really unique.
MORE INFO: www.itb-berlin.de
Text by Rica
