Businessman and former minister Abel Matutes Juan (84, Ibiza) will receive the Honorary Award at the 2026 Onda Cero Ibiza and Formentera Awards, during a ceremony to be held this Thursday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m. at the Pereyra Theater. This recognition highlights a career marked by his influence in the political, economic, and social spheres, as well as his close ties to Ibiza over the decades.
Matutes has built a career marked by prominence and influence, establishing himself as a key figure in every field in which he has worked. Among the positions he has held are those of Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Commissioner, Senator, and Mayor of Ibiza. His background, which combines institutional experience with business acumen, makes him one of the most influential figures in the island’s recent history.
A successful and diverse career
A native of Ibiza born in 1941, Matutes’ career was shaped from a young age by his education and entrepreneurial spirit. He studied law and economics at the University of Barcelona, a period he balanced with his career as a professional athlete with Real Club Deportivo Español.
In the public sector, he served as mayor of Ibiza (1970–1971), as a senator and member of parliament at various times, as European Commissioner for Regional Policy (1989–1993), as chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, and as Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (1996–2000).
At the same time, he expanded his business operations starting in the late 1960s through Grupo Empresas Matutes and the hotel chain now known as the Palladium Hotel Group, which has an international presence and operates multiple brands. Brands such as TRS Hotels, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, Only YOU Hotels, BLESS Collection Hotels, and Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels operate under this umbrella, in addition to properties associated with international licenses.
Economically speaking, it has played a key role in the modernization and expansion of the Balearic Islands’ tourism sector, helping to position Ibiza and the rest of the archipelago in the global market.
His legacy in Ibiza and the Balearic Islands revolves around two key aspects: on the one hand, promoting the islands’ profile in Europe and around the world; on the other, contributing to the development of tourism as an economic driver. This combination of political and business leadership has been instrumental in establishing the Balearic Islands as one of the leading destinations in the Mediterranean.