Drinking on the street has been banned in popular holiday resorts in Mallorca and Ibiza, as authorities in Spain’s Balearic Islands continue to grapple with antisocial behaviour.
The latest rules mean that drinking in the street will be prohibited in the three Mallorcan destinations of Llucmajor, Palma and Calvia (Magaluf) – as well as San Antonio, located in Ibiza. With the scope of the ban stretching a nautical mile (1.85 km) out to sea, party boats will not be allowed to come closer, pick up or drop off passengers in those zones.
Uncivil attitudes
Palma’s Mayor, Jaime Martínez, has emphasised that the aim of the move is not to drive tourists away but to “correct uncivil attitudes”. With excessive alcohol consumption blamed for noise, violence, accidents and even deaths on the islands, the decree noted that: “Year after year news has appeared related to uncivil behaviour by young tourists that has caused deep concern among the rest of the citizens, in the hotel sector and in the administrations involved.”
It comes as a follow up to other restrictions relating to smoking on a number of public beaches, as well as alcohol rules brought online in 2020, banning the sale of alcohol from shops between 9:30 pm and 8:00 am and governing activities such as happy hours, pub crawls, and two-for-one drink promotions.
Drinking will now only be permitted in cafes, bars, restaurants and licenced terraces or designated areas.
Penalties
As well being reported to their embassy if caught flouting the rules, those found breaking the new law will be subject to a fine of between €750 and €1,500 (£645 and £1,290) depending on how far their behaviour “disrupts coexistence, involves crowds or deteriorates the tranquillity of the environment”.
For very serious infringements, penalties could reach as much as €1,500 to €3,000 (£1,290 to £2,580).
'Getting lairy is the whole point of coming to Spain.'
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One young Brit on holiday says the rules will put people off coming to Magalufhttps://t.co/zNGlg88NM6 pic.twitter.com/cXWdzxGyx0
Security and public awareness
Originally intended to last until 2025, the newly strengthened rules will now continue to be in place until 2027 and they come with a €16m (£13.7m) spending commitment from the government to spend on the extra security, patrols and public awareness campaigns that will be needed to enforce the measures.
Authorities on the islands have recognised that “tourism represents more than 45 per cent of the community’s GDP” but they are among friends in their wish to transition to a more responsible form of the industry.
City break destinations across Europe are increasingly intolerant of large groups of costumed revellers descending for rowdy stag dos. Amsterdam has implemented a stay-away campaign aimed at over-indulgent tourists and Milan recently banned late night food sales in certain areas in order to crackdown on what locals say is intolerable noise pollution.
