Fury in Ibiza as locals launch sunbed war against tourists on beaches

Locals in Ibiza have taken action amid frustration against local beach clubs and luxury villas. Residents have grown frustrated over the use of their local beaches, accusing owners of villas and beach clubs of using them without permission from local authorities. Frustration among locals when it comes to tourism in areas of Spain has been growing over the last number of years, with protests against overtourism in places like Barcelona and Majorca.

Tensions in one area of Ibiza have arisen from the use of a small cove, where some locals have claimed that businesses are using it without proper licensing or permission from local councils. They have accused owners of luxury developments, which are scattered around beaches like Cala Espart, a small cove and beach on the southeastern coast of Ibiza, of attempting to "privatise" it without permission by introducing sunbeds.

Cala Espart is a public beach managed by the Coastal Authority. Therefore, private businesses would need special permission to use the beach for business operations.

Locals have reported similar incidents to that of Cala Espart, and some have taken action against them. In June, one local took it upon himself to remove sun loungers and umbrellas that had been placed on Cala Molí, another scenic beach on the Ibiza coast with nearby luxury developments.

The sunbeds and umbrellas were deployed by a local business that rents out luxury homes to visitors to the area. Locals reported these set-ups happening early in the morning and remaining in place all day.

One local told Spanish publication Nou Diari that they noticed someone unloading this equipment from a van and placing it on the beach. However, one local businessman, Román, operations director of El Silencio Ibiza, argued that the business is subject to weekly checks by council officials.

He also argued that nobody was making money off of the sunbeds being placed on the beach. It has since transpired that the person who was setting up the beach equipment on Cala Molí was an employee hired by a wealthy family staying in the area.

Román said that they were used for the family's own enjoyment rather than being rented out for a profit. According to the Sant Josep City Council, no complaints have been received regarding the installation of beach equipment by the owners of private villas.