Social involvement and adaptation to the 1960s tourist boom on Ibiza

Contrary to common narratives of 'dependent development' and 'social impoverishment,' Ibiza's society actively engaged with and adapted to its rapid 1960s tourist boom, transforming rather than being transformed by it. This study challenges the notion that mass tourism imposes external forces on host communities, demonstrating instead how Ibizans proactively reshaped their economy and social structure to overcome traditional limitations. By analyzing archival records, oral histories, and economic data, researchers reveal a nuanced process where locals accepted both the benefits and costs of tourism, integrating it as a vital component of their development. The findings highlight the agency of local communities in navigating rapid change, offering a counterpoint to dominant discourses on tourism's negative impacts.

Cooper Smith, R. J., & Cirer-Costa, J. C. (2023). Social involvement and adaptation to the 1960s tourist boom on Ibiza. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 21(5), 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2023.2178313