Ibiza, the Balearic gem, has scored a major win in the quest for sustainable tourism, eliminating 2,831 unauthorized short-term rentals. This impressive feat translates to a removal of 14,532 illegal beds. This sweeping effort, recently made public, represents Spain’s initial comprehensive removal of illicit listings from Airbnb. It also provides a potentially powerful, tech-driven strategy for managing overtourism in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations.
The island government’s Task Force on Illegal Short-Term Rentals spearheaded this initiative, a blend of regulatory enforcement and advanced tech that took 17 months. Strong collaboration with Airbnb facilitated quick delistings. Mabrian, a tourism intelligence firm, contributed AI-based technology to detect and dismantle the unregulated rental market’s hidden aspects. Ibiza Island Council President Vicent Marí stated, “Ibiza is now the first destination in Spain to have completely removed all illegal short-term rental offers from the Airbnb platform,” as it was proclaimed.
From Data Chaos to Clear Tourism Regulations
A key element of this takedown is Mabrian’s “advanced tourism intelligence model”—a large data system that combs through digital information to find patterns that might be missed by humans. This tool is integrated into the Ibiza Tourism Intelligence System (SIT Eivissa) and employs artificial intelligence to monitor listings continuously. It cross-references geolocation data, host profiles, and official records to ensure high accuracy.
During the project’s presentation, Marí explained that this data-driven approach enables decisions based on information rather than just subjective impressions. He emphasized its importance in “defending the island’s legal offer, strengthening a quality tourism model, managing visitor flows, and counteracting the feeling of overcrowding during peak season.” In short, the initiative transformed uncertainty into effective governance, starting with model deployment in July 2024 and concluding with complete removals by September 17, 2025.
According to Cristina Panizo, Head of Insights & Tourism Advisory at Mabrian, their approach has deepened the understanding of Ibiza’s short-term rental market, refining the analytical model by including geolocation layers and host/owner profiling. These insights are then compared with official records for enhanced accuracy. This system flagged unlicensed properties and verified owners, effectively closing loopholes that had previously allowed illegal operators to flourish.
Click here to preview your posts with PRO themes ››
This isn’t just a cleanup, but also a landmark moment for Spain. Ibiza is positioning itself as a pioneer in AI-supported regulation amid growing anti-overtourism measures across Europe. While cities like Barcelona have listing bans and Venice has entry fees, Ibiza’s model is remarkable for its precision and collaborative nature.
A Balearic Blueprint for Balance
The impact is expected to be widespread. Balearic Government President Margarita Prohens praised the Ibiza success, announcing plans to extend these results more quickly across the other islands. Airbnb, having been a crucial partner in Ibiza, has committed to removing unregistered listings throughout the archipelago by October 2025. This will broaden the crackdown’s scope to include Mallorca, Menorca, and other islands.
Authorities anticipate that this will benefit local residents. By diverting around 4,900 daily visitors from illegal rentals to licensed accommodations, the action promotes compliance, reduces housing pressures, and improves service quality. Officials have noted that this shift supports compliance while also aiding the quality of life of local residents. This envisions fewer strained resources and fairer growth within a sector that already contributes billions annually to the economy.
Data’s Enduring Role in Paradise Preserved
As Ibiza moves on from its digital cleanup, the focus will turn to ongoing vigilance. Continuous data intelligence will protect the legal short-term rental market. Ibiza’s enduring charm, from vibrant nightlife to peaceful beaches, remains a draw. However, instead of simply withstanding the influx of tourists, Ibiza is using AI to guide tourism toward a more sustainable and reasonable path. Given that global tourism figures have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels by 2025, albeit with increasing demands for “quality over quantity,” Ibiza’s success offers a model that can be replicated elsewhere, supporting a tourism landscape that respects the island’s free-spirited essence without being overtaken by it. This is welcome news for both locals and visitors.