Spanish Islands tighten Restrictions on Party Holidays

The Balearic Islands of Spain are attempting to limit alcohol-fueled vacations in tourist regions by tightening restrictions on party boats and extending bans on public drinking.

According to the government, well-known destinations like Sant Antoni in Ibiza and Playa de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca will be subject to the stricter enforcement of a 2020 rule.

If someone is found to have consumed alcohol outside of designated places, they may be fined €500–1,500 (£430–1290).

The new rule, which goes into effect on Saturday, stipulates that the amount of sanctions imposed on foreign nationals must be tallied and reported to the appropriate embassies.

Party boats will not be permitted to approach the specified zones within a distance of one nautical mile (1.852 km) as a result of the legislation’s stricter regulations. Passenger pickup and drop-off will remain prohibited.

Party boats were not allowed to advertise in any of the three locations before.

According to Luis Pomar, a press representative for the Balearic Islands tourism council, the 2020 regulation has proven effective in reducing antisocial behaviour, as reported by the BBC. If we teach people appropriate behaviour, he said, hopefully the law won’t be necessary in three to four years.

Up to €16 million (£13.7 million) will be used to upgrade the tourist destinations.

The Balearic Islands said that the areas to which the law applies have been changed at the request of the local government.

Mr. Pomar announced the expansion of a commission on “the Promotion of Civility in Tourist Zones” to include members from the UK and Germany, the two nations whose visitors are most frequently linked to issues.

The administration reaffirmed that all sales of alcohol are prohibited between 21:30 and 8:00 local time (20:30–7:00 GMT) under the 2020 law.

The regional government claimed to be the first in Europe to impose restrictions on the advertising and sale of alcohol in specific tourist areas when the 2020 law was introduced.

The new regulations, it claimed, will “fight excesses” and “force a real change in the tourism model of those destinations”.

Locals, meanwhile, claimed that the measure would harm companies.