The Mayor of the Ibiza Town HallRafael Triguero, inaugurated this morning the technical conference organized by ICOMOS-Spain in collaboration with the Consistory. The meeting, which takes place in the Chapter House of the old Town Hall, coincides with the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Eivissa as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During his speech, Triguero highlighted the crucial role of ICOMOS in the protection of heritage environments, stressing that this type of event reinforces the commitment to the conservation of cultural and natural heritage. He also presented figures that illustrate the impact of tourism on the city’s historic quarter: since May, 1,382,000 visitors have accessed the walled city, with a daily average of 9,000 people, reaching peaks of up to 15,000 during the summer. “These data allow us to design strategies that ensure the harmonious coexistence between tourism and the lives of residents, protecting our cultural legacy and guaranteeing a satisfactory experience for all,” said the mayor. In this regard, he announced that the City Council is developing tourism intelligence projects to efficiently manage visitor flows and preserve the integrity of the heritage environment.
Tourism and sustainability challenges
The day’s program includes debates on the challenges facing cultural heritage in the face of mass tourism and energy infrastructures. During the morning session, experts such as José Castillo Ruiz, professor of Art History at the University of Granada, and Laura de Miguel Riera, head of the World Heritage Service of the Ministry of Culture, analyzed how territorial transformations, such as the proliferation of wind farms, affect protected environments. In the afternoon, the fourth deputy mayor and councilor for the Environment, Jordi Grivé, will address the impacts and opportunities at the Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture site, highlighting local initiatives in conservation and sustainability.
A commemoration full of initiatives
The 25th anniversary as World Heritage has been used by the City Council to develop inclusive activities that connect the community with its heritage. Among the actions include guided tours, school workshops, a new commemorative book and the drafting of strategies to beautify and revitalize key areas such as Camí des Calvari and Drasaneta. “Ibiza must not only preserve its essence, but continue to be a cultural and tourist reference at an international level,” concluded Triguero, thanking ICOMOS for choosing Eivissa as the seat of its board of directors. The event ends this afternoon with a debate on how World Heritage cities can manage the impacts of mass tourism and ensure the sustainability of the environment.
