New alcohol ban in Majorca and Ibiza marks fresh clampdown on 'excessive tourism'
10 May 2024, 17:13 | Updated: 10 May 2024, 19:08
The sale of alcohol will be totally banned between 9.30pm and 8am in areas of "excessive tourism" in Majorca and Ibiza, under a new decree passed by the government of Spain's Balearic Islands.
In a bid to crack down on booze-fuelled holidays in tourist areas, the law completely prohibits late-night sales of alcohol in Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia (Magaluf) in Majorca, and San Antonio in Ibiza.
Authorities have also banned party boats from sailing within one nautical mile of any of these destinations and the vessels are banned from picking up and disembarking passengers in these areas, reported the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
But some businesses have criticised the legislation, saying tourists will just go to neighbouring resorts which are not part of the restrictions.
The bans follow the toughening up of a law passed by the Balearic government four years ago to tackle the over-consumption of alcohol.
That 2020 legislation banned happy hours, pub crawls and two-for-one drink offers, prohibited the sale of alcohol in shops between 9.30pm and 8am and stopped party boats from advertising in designated areas.
The new decree comes after the government warned rowdy tourists they could face big fines under tougher sanctions for bad behaviour.
Up to €16m (£13.7m) will be spent on enforcing the ban on drinking alcohol in public, as well as on security, inspections and increasing the awareness of tourists in "excessive tourism" areas.
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People could be fined between €750 and €1,500 (£645 and £1,290) if their consumption of booze on public roads "disrupts coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquillity of the environment", reported the Canarian Weekly website.
If the offence is considered very serious, the fine could range from €1,500 to €3,000 (£1,290 to £2,580).
The Palma mayor Jaime Martínez said one of his main objectives is to "correct uncivil attitudes".
The decree has a fixed term until 31 December 2027 because after that the government hopes the law will no longer be necessary.
(c) Sky News 2024: New alcohol ban in Majorca and Ibiza marks fresh clampdown on 'excessive tourism'
