As summer descends upon Ibiza, the celebrated party island of Spain, the strain on its emergency services has intensified significantly. Ambulance technician Pablo Roig recounts harrowing nights spent navigating the heavy traffic, punctuated by frequent emergency calls related to drug use at nightclubs. With the influx of 3.3 million tourists last year, the health workers on the island face a crisis as drug-related incidents—predominantly involving foreign visitors—account for over a quarter of all emergency calls during peak times.
"Some nights, we’re called to the same nightclub multiple times, handling intoxicated individuals," explains José Manuel Maroto, a union representative. The surge in club-related emergencies reflects a larger issue of overtourism, which has led to recent protests across Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Locals voice their frustrations regarding the mounting pressures on public resources and escalated living costs associated with the relentless influx of visitors.
The crisis in Ibiza serves as a microcosm of the tensions surrounding tourism in Europe today, where communities grapple with balancing the economic benefits of tourism against the strain it places on local infrastructure and services. As local health officials advocate for better management of nightlife and increased support, the question remains: how can popular destinations preserve their cultural charm while effectively catering to the demands of millions of tourists?
