Arenal businesses express concern over music festival being held over Easter

STATEMENT FROM THE XÀBIA ARENAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Our organization already expressed our concerns and negative assessment of the music festival’s first edition to the Mayor and the relevant departments. We believe that holding the event during such a critical period as Easter, characterized by high tourist pressure, exacerbates the already existing congestion in the area.

These types of events during [a tourism] peak season exceed capacity limits and have an impact contrary to the sustainable, high-quality tourism model we promote. We are observing an increase in low-impact tourism for local businesses (very young groups opting for minimal consumption and drinking in public), as well as a significant disruption to community life and disruption to visitors seeking a more peaceful and respectful experience.

Furthermore, these profiles displace a more desirable type of tourism: families and visitors who spend money on hospitality, retail, and service offerings, and who actively participate in events such as the traditional Xàbia Històrica Easter Craft Fair.

Added to this is another problem: the limited parking capacity in the Arenal area. During the festival, this shortage is drastically exacerbated, causing access jams, making parking for residents, workers, suppliers, and customers more difficult, and fostering a climate of widespread frustration. This situation not only reduces the comfort of those who visit us, but also seriously compromises commercial and employment activity in the area.

From an economic perspective, we believe the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits. Overcrowding, the impact on cleanliness, urban mobility, and the municipality’s image, along with the shift in tourism toward “excessive” models, seriously harm our image as a quality destination.

Xàbia should not aspire to become a destination for stag and hen parties or uncontrolled party tourism. We are committed to a model that protects the natural environment, promotes local entrepreneurship, and elevates the level of services offered.

We call for collective reflection on the tourism model we want to build. It is essential to avoid mass events during peak periods and promote off-season initiatives that will help seasonally adjust the economy and attract committed and respectful visitors.

We, the entrepreneurs of Arenal, are a direct indicator of tourism pressure, and we want to be heard. We reach out to institutions to collaborate in building a more balanced, sustainable, and profitable tourism future, compatible with the quality of life of those who live, work, and start businesses in Xàbia.