If the number of passenger vehicles that passed through the port of Ibiza last summer exceeded the precovid of two years ago by 39% is interesting, the case of Formentera is even more surprising and reflects the upturn in tourist activity this year, at least the influx of tourists. Between June, July and August this year 70,122 passenger vehicles disembarked and embarked from La Savina, 53% more than before the pandemic. Much higher is the increase recorded in August, with 27,469 vehicles, 60% more than in the same month two years ago. In addition, 412,877 passengers were recorded in August, only 1.5% less than in 2019 (419,465).
It is even more striking that the number of vehicles in Formentera in August this year is equal (in fact, 24 fewer have been registered) to last year, the failed tourist season due to the pandemic, when the number of passengers has increased by 36.6%. Thus, there is a considerable increase in the number of vehicles in La Savina from 2020, in the midst of the health crisis due to covid, compared to previous years. However, the number of passengers in August last year (302,771) fell by 27.8% compared to 2019.
Another issue to take into account is the fact that, since 2019, the Consell de Formentera limits the entry of vehicles on the island. In addition, this summer a further restriction of 8% was been applied to that of 2019. Specifically, last summer a daily quota of 2,080 tourist vehicles (210 motorcycles), 2,484 rental vehicles (6,440) and 220 Ibiza residents (20) was applied. The aim is to achieve a 16% reduction by 2023 compared to the limit set in 2019.
How can this considerable increase in the number of vehicles arriving at La Savina be explained with the increase in the limitation of entries and, above all, the health crisis? The Councillor for Mobility and Territory, Rafael Gonzalez, has an answer: the fall in the average stay of tourists. “Before it was close to a week, and now it is three or four days. Having a limit, more vehicles enter and leave and there is a greater rotation. The pandemic has changed the habits of tourists, to which the increase in boat connections and lower prices of ferry companies to encourage one-day stays must be added,” explains González.
In fact, there is a statistic that confirms the effect of this commercial policy of the ferry companies: “40% of bookings have travelled with their car for one day ,” said the island councilor of Mobility.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.