Industry Insider: An interview with The Pacha Group CEO, Aloki Batra

In the next instalment of Industry Insider, Mixmag’s interview series speaking with the people shaping dance music from behind the scenes, we catch up with Aloki Batra, the CEO of FIVE Hospitality and, more recently, The Pacha Group. As head of FIVE's hospitality arm, Aloki specialises in entertainment, gastronomy, and music and oversaw the transition of The Pacha Group into FIVE's growing portfolio in 2023. Two years after its purchase, the group announced €118 million in operating profits, which is put down to sold-out events at Pacha Ibiza nightclub and the rebirth of the Destino Five Ibiza hotel.

You take the reins on FIVE Hospitality and now The Pacha Group. What drew you to Pacha – and why now?

The first time I came to Ibiza was in 1998. The music, the people, the sense of freedom – it stayed with me. Pacha wasn’t just a club; it was part of the island’s culture. When FIVE acquired The Pacha Group in October 2023, stepping in as CEO came with a clear responsibility: protect what made Pacha matter, and build its next chapter without losing that soul.

At FIVE, we’ve always worked at the intersection of hospitality and live entertainment, with music, design, dining and energy existing in one ecosystem. Pacha fits naturally into that way of thinking.

What matters most to me is the community. The dancefloor has always been a place of connection and belonging, and that doesn’t change. What does change is the scale and how that culture travels globally while remaining rooted in Ibiza. Our goal is to grow Pacha into a global platform for music and culture, without disconnecting it from the island that shaped it.

What are the top changes you’ve already made at Pacha since the acquisition?

The reimagining of the 4-star Destino Pacha Hotel into the 5-star Destino Five Ibiza was a big moment for us. When we closed last year, the goal was to capture the same energy that’s always defined Ibiza: love, joy, connection, celebration, inclusivity, and diversity, and reinterpret it for today. From indulgent Junior Suites to the Epic Suites overlooking the sea, Playa Pacha, or our open-air stage that hosts the world’s top artists, each space is designed for immersion. For those looking for something truly next level, the Cherry Suites, complete with expansive XL pools, set a new benchmark for private luxury. 

Our dining offering at Destino Five Ibiza is now clearly defined. Cielo for relaxed Mediterranean mornings. Elia for cliff-side sunsets, flavour and atmosphere. Playa Pacha for high energy, all-day pool culture. Music remains the anchor. Pacha ICONS continues to bring world-class artists to the open-air stage, and that will only grow. Inside Pacha Ibiza, we invested heavily in sound and production. The 2025 season marks a full technical evolution – d&b audiotechnik configuration throughout, precision acoustics, and a lighting and visual system that reacts in real time to the music. Each residency gets a bespoke audio setup and our in-house team match the artist’s sound, from Solomun’s melodic flow to Defected’s big-room euphoria. 

We’ve also upgraded the guest journey: new VIP systems, the VIP Garden, and the launch of Paradiso Ibiza inside the club, which completely redefines pre and post-party culture.

Behind the scenes, we’ve increased investment into the island itself. Through The Pacha Foundation, we’ve grown funding by 430% since acquisition, supporting over 35 initiatives across youth, arts, community and environmental preservation. It’s all part of ensuring that Pacha’s legacy continues to uplift Ibiza, not just entertain it.

How do you see the relationship between hotels and clubs evolving in your business model?

I’ve always believed that hotels and clubs shouldn’t exist in silos – they feed off each other. The next generation of hospitality is about creating a seamless ecosystem where people can live, play and connect all in one place. That’s what I call the ‘All-You-Can-Play’ philosophy, a world where entertainment, dining, design, and wellness don’t compete for attention; they complete each other.

Destino Five Ibiza is a perfect example of that evolution. You can start your day at sunrise yoga, drift into a Mediterranean lunch at Cielo, recharge by the pool, and by night, find yourself front and centre at Pacha ICONS under the stars – all without ever leaving the property. That’s the future of hospitality: integrated, intentional and unforgettable.

FIVE and The Pacha Group has evolved into a global lifestyle brand where immersive experiences, digital innovation, and live entertainment converge, transforming traditional travel into a high-octane cultural touchpoint.

You recently mentioned a $460 million (USD) fund. What are the plans here?

That facility gives us room to move fast and think big. It was a bold step in our journey of growth, securing the $460 million Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) with leading financial institutions Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB, and Santander. This gives us the ability to invest where it matters most: people, experiences and destinations that fit our DNA.

The RCF is part of a larger vision to scale our global entertainment ecosystem across Europe, the United States, Asia, and the UAE. We’re looking at destinations that share our inimitable spirit, places where music, culture, and a sense of belonging are part of daily life. So yes, the fund gives us financial agility. But more than that, it gives us creative freedom to keep pushing boundaries and redefining what modern entertainment feels like.

Programming is everything for a club brand. How much of Pacha’s booking and residency model is data driven versus curator led?

The answer is both: art and science.

We hosted 64 events in a single quarter, Q2 of 2025, at Pacha Ibiza and welcomed more than 220,000 guests, so of course, data matters. We study patterns – what’s resonating, when demand peaks, where audiences are coming from – but data can only tell you what happened. Curation is what shapes what’s next.

At Pacha, instinct still leads. We build residencies around emotion, not just algorithms – the energy of the room, the chemistry between artist and audience. Each lineup is designed to move people, not just fill a schedule. We track numbers, but we trust the feeling. Because when the music, community, and space aligns, that’s when nightlife becomes culture.

Sustainability is a growing focus for destinations. What KPIs have you introduced, and how do you measure progress?

Sustainability is a way of operating. It’s built into how we design, build, and run every part of The Pacha Group. Our goal has always been to show that you can deliver world-class entertainment and still protect the world that inspires it.

Pacha Ibiza has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the world’s first and only LEED Platinum–certified nightclub, earning an impressive 81 points. This sets a new benchmark for sustainable nightlife, powered entirely by renewable energy and free from single-use plastics for an eco-friendly clubbing experience.

We measure progress through very tangible KPIs: carbon reduction, renewable energy, water conservation and local sourcing. Across our venues, we now operate on 100% green power, avoiding 538 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions in a single year. Pacha Ibiza has reduced its carbon emissions per entry by 31%, while Pacha Hotel achieved a 39% overall reduction and became the first and only LEED Platinum–certified hotel in Ibiza. 

At Destino Five Ibiza, we’ve cut water consumption by 14% in 2024, reaching a 40% reduction for the 2025 season compared to 2023. We’re also pursuing LEED Gold or higher certifications for Destino Five Ibiza, and our kitchens source 86% of fruits and vegetables from Spain, with 40% coming directly from Ibiza in 2024. That’s not just about lowering transport emissions, but also strengthening the local economy and keeping the island’s ecosystem in balance.

Everything we do is designed to work in harmony with the island, its people, its culture, its rhythm. Ibiza gives us so much, and it’s our responsibility to give back in a way that’s meaningful and lasting. If we can keep the music alive while helping Ibiza thrive, then we’re doing what we came here to do.

Pacha's recent drinks deal was a welcome shift in Ibiza drinks pricing...

When we launched the 'Party Smart' Drinks Package, the goal was to make prices more accessible, but more importantly, to protect the sense of inclusivity that defines Pacha.

Over the years, the island has changed, but the dancefloor has always been a meeting point for everyone – the dreamers, artists, travellers, and locals. We wanted to make sure that spirit stayed alive. Making the experience more accessible is how we protect that legacy for the next generation.

What advice would you give to young people hoping to make their mark in electronic music?

My advice to young artists hoping to make their mark in electronic music is simple – stay true to your sound, stay curious, and never stop evolving. The most powerful artists are those who create from authenticity and passion, not trends. Learn from the greats, but don’t be afraid to break the rules and redefine what’s possible. And above all, remember that music is about connection – if your sound moves people, you’re already making an impact.