Carmen Ferrer Torres graduated in Business Sciences, has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from ESADE; and has a Certification in Tourism by ESMATUR.

Ferrer started her professional career working for international companies until 2004. In 2006, Ferrer became the first manager at Fundación Turística de Ibiza y Formentera (Ibiza and Formentera Tourist Foundation), which further introduced her into the political life of the island standing out later as the Tourist Counsellor at the Consell Insular d’Eivissa and afterwards as the Council for Public Coexistence and Promotion in Santa Eulària before becoming the town’s Lady Mayoress.

Why do you recommend our readers to visit Ibiza, and especially the municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu?

Ibiza is a beautiful island, and, for such a small place it is so diverse it is hard to get to know it well. I believe Santa Eulària des Riu as a municipality represents this diversity in a natural and balanced way with all its contrasts. On one side, we have the oldest and most prominent hippie markets such as Punta Arabí and Las Dalias;

iconic locations with great personalities and charm; parishes steeped in history and charm; hiking and cycling routes with breathtaking views as well as wonderful spots to sample our traditional cuisine; our culture and our folklore. On the other side, we have an expansive and varied hotel offer for all types of visitors, from 5* hotels to youth hostels. We could also say the same about our gorgeous and charming restaurants.

If there is something I would like to highlight in Santa Eularia des Riu is the versatility to turn every holiday in an experience that can be adapted to everyone, whether they are seeking active holidays or just relaxation. Our municipality oozes pure harmony.

Why is the island special in winter?

It can be discovered in a different way. If we move the focus away from the beach and the massification of the tourist spots, this allows us to disperse more and discover the interior of the island and places that require more time to be enjoyed, not only because of their stunning locations but also because of their people. By slowing our pace, we discover the hues that make our island such a special place. We can sample the authenticity with calm, as opposed to the summer when there are so many offers that it is impossible to enjoy it all.

What is your favorite spot in Santa Eulària? And on the island?

I do not dare to mention just one as it always depends on the company and the moment. I especially enjoy the north when I want to find calm and the interior of the island when I want to stroll and discover new spots.

Let’s talk about your job as the Lady Mayoress of Santa Eulària. What worries you the most when managing the municipality?

I worry not to be able to manage the daily administration and solving people’s problems, especially when we are implementing major projects in the municipality that are also part of our electoral commitments. Social services, environment, cleanliness, waste and water management are vital issues in Santa Eulària des Riu, as well as other matters such as the safety and the management of the beaches and tourist areas, areas where we dedicate great effort.

Tourism in Santa Eulària is very different from the rest of the island. What are the reasons to this?

I believe the island must specialize in what they can do properly and with high standards. Here in Santa Eulària, we have always specialized in family tourism and offer a balanced experience. However, in the last years we have expanded and widen our target audience by implementing other proposals such as sport events, incentive holidays, conferences, gastronomy, etc. that allow us to lengthen the tourist season. We have also promoted other elements such as culture and traditions, hiking and biking routes to complement our offer.

What tools do you employ to move away from the usual nightlife tourist offer?

We believe that Ibiza nightlife is a high quality one and has given notoriety to the island. It is a product and a very important attraction focus; so those who know how to do it well must continue doing their job. However, not the whole island should offer the same and there must be all types of proposals. Our regulations in terms of this type of offer are very demanding technically speaking and not all urban areas admit their use, so there is no easy access to this kind of product.

Local produce has been highly promoted recently. Is it important to champion this initiatives and work together with the local associations?

Of course. We must focus on our local produce and strive to promote it to make it a more enticing way of life for the younger generations. I believe tourism is a good leverage to highlight local produce, which has exceptional and differentiating qualities, thus creating wealth for the island that comes from the island. If we speak, for example, about our agriculture, we not only give value to the primary sector, but also, we look after our fields and our landscapes. The associations are made up of many companies and they serve as a relevant voice to express the sector’s problems and/or necessities, so we must always take them into account.

Is preserving and valuing the municipality patrimony within your priorities, as well as looking after it and making it enticing for residents and tourists?

Our patrimony is an asset we must preserve or help to preserve, even when much of it belongs to the private sector. I believe it is our obligation to preserve it and for that we must respect, love, and promote it. If we are not aware of something, we do not love, respect, or value it and therefore it ends up being lost. We are putting great effort into this aspect with projects like the creation of Can Planetes Interpretation Centre, Ca n’Andreu des Trull, the recent purchase of Casa Barrau and the recent cession of Trull de Perella. We must also mention our efforts to preserve all the churches in our area, which have an immense patrimonial value.

Santa Eulària des Riu is an ideal destination for families, both resident and tourist. What kind of activities can we find in winter in your municipality?

We have a very intense schedule. Our local festivities during autumn and winter offer music, culture, sport, and food events and last about three weeks. We also have Sant Carles and Santa Gertrudis festivities in November and Santa Eulària in February. In December we feature a calendar full of Christmas activities from the first half of the month until mid-January with theatre, culture, family cinema both in our theatres and cultural centers and in the streets. We must mention also our monthly guided hikes. During autumn and winter a multilingual guide takes us hiking around the municipality while explaining about interesting curiosities and spots. To learn more about our activities I recommend checking our website (www.santaeulariadesriu.com) or our tourist website (www.visitsantaeulalia.com).

If we would like to enjoy food, culture, and activities with our family, could we say that we can find everything in Santa Eularia des Riu?

Of course, you can say that and be totally correct.

What activity or experience would you recommend in Santa Eularia des Riu for the rest of 2023?

There are so many, but as something different and special, given that it is an unparalleled ancestral tradition, I would like to invite you to Caramelles on Christmas’ Eve in Puig de Missa in Santa Eulària. Independently of the time of the year you visit the island, I recommend doing the River Route, which departs at the Town Hall, continuing along the promenade and up the river, passing by the Interpretation Centre of Can Planetes, up towards Puig de Missa where you can visit a church with more than 450 years of history and the ethnographic museum that portrays our rural life, the architecture of our farmhouses, and the traditional garments and jewelry, as well as featuring a very well preserved olive mill. There are also breathtaking views that are worth the effort. Afterwards, you can walk back to the center of Santa Eulària and sample one of the glorious restaurants and shop in their authentic and welcoming stores.

“We must focus on our local produce and strive to promote it to make it a more enticing way of life for the younger generations.”

“I worry not to be able to manage the daily administration and solving people’s problems, especially when we are implementing major projects in the municipality.”

“We believe that Ibiza nightlife is a high quality one and has given notoriety to the island. It is a product and a very important attraction focus; so those who know how to do it well must continue doing their job.”