Tourism Workers and Entrepreneurs during the 1950s and 1960s in Sant Antoni de Portmany (Ibiza, Spain)

Ibiza is very dependent on the tourism sector and a highly recognized international brand. However, before tourist boom, situation was different, since it an economically underdeveloped almost unknown island. In 1950s, eminently endogenous development began thanks to local entrepreneurship, usually workers modest traders who dared invest in new sector. The not homogeneous throughout island, with Sant Antoni de Portmany being pioneer town post-Spanish Civil War recovery (1939–1959), example from which rest of island learned starting point current image Ibiza. This article seeks delve into social context its beginnings, especially mentality way businessmen that time. It economic history paper analyzes bibliography testimonies time provide vision what society, pioneering entrepreneurs were like. peculiarities beginnings have generated many positive negative elements society Ibiza, highlighting survival mentality, doing vital approach based networking, irregularities improvisation.