Talking Ibiza Grand Prix With Danny Gomez

Words: Lena Kochetkova
Images: NicJ.

Ibiza Grand Prix took place this year for the very first time, but it was only natural that one day this event would come to the island. From September 5 till September 7 powerboats were racing along Playa d’en Bossa, aquabike riders were doing mind-blowing stunts, and a big cheering crowd was watching and filming the show from the beach. Surrounded by the wonderful Mediterranean sea and boasting over 300 sunny days per year, Ibiza has a lot to offer to the international jet set that comes to see the race: comfortable accommodation, numerous beaches, amazing restaurants and of course the best parties in the world. Yet the Championship didn’t come here as a miracle, someone had to trigger it all, to act as the initiator for the big undertaking – and that was Danny Gomez, CEO and co-founder of Ibiza World Championship and brand ambassador for Palladium Hotel Group. For Danny and his partner Mikel Astelarra it took two years to progress from the initial idea of the race to its glorious fulfillment, and at certain moments the project seemed as if hung by a thread. However, eventually Ibiza Grand Prix turned out to be a tremendous success, thanks to the hard work of the duo and Mari-Liis Ivalo and the dedicated team, and left all the participants and spectators with lots of positive memories and impressions. Now that the finishing line has been crossed, conclusions have been made and preparations for the next year have already begun, we had a chance to talk with Danny about his nautical background, about the challenges he has had to overcome while working on the projects he is involved in, and what we can expect from Ibiza Grand Prix in 2015…

How did you come up with the idea of the Grand Prix?
It all started two years ago, on a summer evening, when I was talking with my friend Mikel Astelarra, who is now my partner also. We both came up with the idea to organize the Grand Prix, because we felt that the island was just in a perfect moment for it. Ibiza has been changing a lot in a good way in the last few years, improving its services and everything it has on offer, including accommodation, especially in Playa d’en Bossa area. The island is surrounded by such a beautiful sea that is ideal for water sports – for example, Mallorca is very well-known as a sailing destination. I was born in Mallorca, but three years later came to Ibiza and consider myself an “adoptive Ibicenco”. I used to organize beach sailing competitions every summer, but to be honest, during all of the 35 years I’ve spent on the island I have always envisaged powerboats here rather than sailing. Mikel and I got in touch with the international promoter of the Championship, we approached them with a proposal and they got very excited about it. And here we are, after almost two years of work we’ve made it! I think we must be very proud of this achievement, because in the end it’s the World Championship, and not only class one of offshore, which today is considered to be Formula 1 for speeds, we also brought aquabike to Ibiza, there were 77 riders competing on different levels. All the participants were very happy: they loved the island, they loved the event and the organization, and they want to repeat it. Of course, from our insider point of view, we noticed a few things that can be improved, but it’s normal for the first year. I can tell you that as soon as the Championship has ended, since Monday September 8 we’re already working on its 2015 edition.

As the co-organiser of Ibiza Grand Prix, what are you most proud of?
Of the fact that we made it. That was quite difficult, believe me. First of all, we never received any economic support from the administrations, unlike for example in China, Norway or Italy, where the promoters get the financial support from their local governments. In our case, the only thing we got from the local institutions was the infrastructure for boats. I must recognize and appreciate their help, but if we really want to keep the Grand Prix in Ibiza for the next four years, we expect them to consider it as a proper general interest event and provide us with some financial support. There were moments when we were asking ourselves: “Are we going to make it? Will we manage to do it?” And we did it, we made it! Now I think new opportunities will open in front of us, sponsors will get interested, media will spread the word… So we’re ready for the next one!

Is it true that Ibiza Grand Prix 2015 will take place in October with the aim of prolonging the season?
Yes, our idea is to use the event as a means to make the Ibiza season longer – the island has been long talking about and looking forward to it. But it doesn’t depend only on us: there is an official calendar for the Championship, and we need to coordinate it with the international promoter. I hope they will give us the priority to choose the dates, because they are regarding Ibiza as a new Monaco. I would really consider pushing the event a few weeks later than we did this year.

What if October weather lets you down?
Well, this is a lottery… But I can’t remember the last time I saw rain in Ibiza! Ten years ago on the first week of September there would always be a big storm, but this is not happening anymore. Weather is a risk that we assume, and there are some rules in terms of organizing the competition in case it rains – we will have to skip the unfavourable days and wait till we can make it. As we say in Spanish, it never rains at everyone’s will. Let’s hope the weather will be good.

You said you’ve spent 35 years in Ibiza. Was your occupation somehow connected with boats and races?
I have always been involved in hospitality and nautical. I earned my first money working for the friends of our family who had a business in the Marina. In the end of the 1990s I got involved in tourism and I began to work for the Palladium Group as a hotel receptionist. Now I’m the brand ambassador for the company, and it’s something I have a big passion for: I like to be with people, I can’t stay within four walls. I need to be out of the office, making contacts, networking and spreading the knowledge about Ibiza to make it look appealing for those who have never been here yet and who are in the process of choosing their travel destination. I represent the portfolio of the company, I try to bring as much network to the group as possible, and I’m always looking for the ways to improve our new developments – not only in Ibiza, but also outside. Palladium Group now has some very strong brands, such as Hard Rock and Ushuaia, but it is a holding, and it’s focused not only on the hotels. So I’m also taking care of other businesses and properties of the group, under the umbrella of Palladium brand.

How will you assess Hard Rock’s debut season?
I have to say, expectations are covered, Hard Rock has been doing really well. We’ve been catering for very diverse types of customers: from individuals who come just for a weekend, to incentives companies that bring big groups of people to Ibiza to combine leisure, beach time and work. Hard Rock at the end of the day is a holiday hotel, but at the same time it has all the facilities that big companies need to make its own incentives and meetings. Since its opening in May, it has been doing really well, and we expect to close the season at the end of October.

Is it true that this season is the busiest Palladium Group has ever had?
Yes, it’s true. We already broke the record of the previous year, and the season is not finished yet, so we expect to get even bigger numbers. But as I have always said, we still need to find a solution to the problem with the lack of flights, which is a very important issue for the island. So many people want to come to Ibiza in October or even in November, but when they see how difficult it is to arrive here, they discard it. The change has to be initiated on the very top, by the Government. We, local companies, are ready to keep our hotels open longer – but if the customers have simply no possibilities to arrive, it doesn’t make sense.

How supportive are Ibiza locals to the projects you are involved in? Ushuaia, Hard Rock, Ibiza Grand Prix caused quite an opinion split…
Local Ibiza people should be more open-minded and supportive to those who are trying to bring positive changes to the island. All the Ibicencos, both the residents and those who have their second house here, should take things easier and look at the positive side of the proposals. Sometimes it makes me sad to see that one part of the island is going for a particular development, and the other part is firmly against. We are living here all together, and we must behave as a team. The only revenue Ibiza has, comes from tourism. All those people with all that money in their pockets aren’t just using our hotels as accommodation – they are going to local restaurants and shops as well, they spend money on the island. In the end, every single person benefits from it, getting their part of the cake – so why oppose the changes? The only thing is that you need to provide the customers of this profile with the level of service they expect, and that’s it. Everyone can find what suits him on the island: if you want to go to a luxurious restaurant, you can choose one, but if you want to have a meal in small local place with smiley staff and decent service, there are also many options on offer. And this is the best thing about Ibiza.