It was 1974 when Vincent Berry, originally from a town in southern England, visited the island of Ibiza for the first time. On that occasion, he was accompanied by his family to a place that was still far from being internationally recognised, precisely because of its tourist influx. Little did he know then that, more than 50 years later, he would receive an award for his loyalty as a tourist to the island, which he has been visiting continuously for more than 20 years.
After that first experience, when he was still a child, he would return years later, in 1996, and has not stopped doing so since. Sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied, sometimes with his partner, but always holidaying in Ibiza. Among all of them, the year 2015 stands out as one of the most special, ‘when I was able to celebrate my 50th birthday in a villa, which was great’.
For many years, he moved from one place to another to stay. However, since 2017, he has been returning to the Bellamar Hotel in Sant Antoni. ‘I love the area where it is located, the promenade near the sea, everything.’ He also points out that people recognise him when he walks around the area: ‘I'm a very big man, and that makes me recognisable. When they see me, everyone greets me and is very friendly to me.’
This year is his second visit: he spent thirteen days here in August and now ten more days in September. In fact, this small tribute comes on his last day before returning to England. It was at the hotel where they told him he was going to be recognised. After so much time visiting the island, he acts as a kind of mini ambassador for it. Many people ask him for recommendations on the island, he says.
Vincent has noticed that there are certain negative rumours in the British press about the Balearic Islands and their relationship with tourism, something that his personal experience does not confirm: ‘They have always been friendly and charming in their dealings with me.’ However, he does notice certain negative connotations, especially with how ‘crowded’ he feels the island is.
Alongside him, Stephane Leguer, a Parisian who has been coming to the island since 2000, was also honoured. In his case, he has been visiting Cala de Bou bay regularly ever since. Given his regularity, he also has friends and acquaintances ‘whom I meet up with every year and we go for a drink, go on an excursion...’.
He remembers that it was very different when he first came here. In his opinion, the island has moved towards a more exclusive approach, which has driven up prices. «I've gone from coming for four weeks a year to three. It's expensive, but when you love somewhere, you're willing to pay for it.»
The tribute took place in the gardens of the Consell d'Eivissa on Tourist Day. There, President Vicent Marí thanked everyone for their loyalty to Ibiza and wished them many more years of summer holidays on the island, accompanied by representatives from the different town councils. «This is an island whose municipalities, in this case Sant Josep and Sant Antoni, have shown that they welcome their visitors with open arms.» President Vicent Marí then stressed that ‘we are an island known for our beaches and leisure activities, but we are much more than that. We are culture, tradition, World Heritage and values, which I hope those who choose to spend their holidays here will come to know and appreciate.’
Santa Eulària
On Thursday, the Santa Eulària Town Council also paid tribute to John Truby, a 93-year-old British tourist who has visited Santa Eulària no fewer than 51 times to spend his summer holidays.
As a token of gratitude for his affection and loyalty, Mayor Carmen Ferrer presented him with a commemorative plaque at an emotional ceremony held in Es Canar, surrounded by his family.