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AUTHORITIES IN SPAIN’S Balearic Islands are clamping down on binge-drinking tourism in three hotspots, introducing what they claim is the first law of its kind in Europe.
The islands’ regional government has passed a law prohibiting the organisation and promotion of pub crawls and publicity promoting alcohol sales by means of “open bars” and “happy hours”.
It also prohibited the practice of jumping from hotel balconies into swimming pools — popularly known as balconing — throughout the Mediterranean islands.
The practice has led to many injuries and several deaths. Those caught taking part in the activity will be obliged to leave their hotel and may face fines.
The legislation will apply to a long stretch of the capital, Palma, as well as the Magaluf area on Majorca, and the West End area of Ibiza, initially for the next five years.
Majorca and Ibiza are two of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, and their nightclub-filled beachfront promenades are particularly popular with young people from Ireland as well Britain and Germany.
The regional government said the law is a novelty in Europe and that it is aimed at improving the quality of tourism on the islands and the well being of both tourists and residents.
The regulation bans alcohol-selling machines, and shops selling alcohol must close between 8.30pm and 7am in the areas.
It freezes new licences for so-called “party boats” and forbids them from taking on or offloading revellers in the three areas.
The legislation envisages fines ranging from €6,000 to €600,000.
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So jumping from balconies is actually legal at the moment?
@Keith ☘️: I wouldn’t advise it mate!
@Keith ☘️: well it’s odd that people are so stupid they actually have to make it illegal…
@Michael Bodycoach: theres a word for it, darwinism, natural selection if you will
These are terrific initiatives. Long overdue but I’m delighted that resorts such as these are being targeted.
@2thFairy: why?
@2thFairy: behave yourself would you. This is how the economies work. We can’t even go away on holidays for a session now. Everything being a
Banned
@thomas patrick: this happens with holiday destinations like this every so often when locals fed up with people on holidays wrecking the place. People will just go to other places.
@thomas patrick: must your holiday involve drink????
@2thFairy: I highly doubt it that you go to those resorts, so why the fck are you delighted? Makes no sense.
@thomas patrick: not really, Mallorca takes in more money from the super rich and their yachts and don’t have to pay for any damage caused by them during their stay and locals hardly even know they’re there
No harm in creating a family friendly area where impressionable children would be.
God knows, kids will see drunken antics and drugs soon enough.
Lots of people look for child friendly holidays for a break from stress and pressure.
It would also appeal to the more mature as well
@Justice Mickey: Have you ever been to the west end in ibiza or magaluf. You would want your head read to bring kids down there.
@Justice Mickey: some of us want to get away and stay in places that are child free zones too
@Peter Govan: Mallorca is far more than just Magaluf. Same with Ibiza. The vast majority of both islands are peaceful and tranquil all year round. There are many child friendly places. In both cases there’s just one infected area and it looks like they’re trying to get treatment.
The first law of its kind in Europe?? Ireland banned happy hour in 1998.
@Peter Cavey: did we ban pub crawls and balconing at the same time as part of a singular governmental initiative? No? So, they’re correct.
@Peter Cavey: nah, it around 2003 I think. It was definitely there for my first year in college in Cork, I know this because beat the clock in Nancy Spains on Barrack St was still going. From 5-7pm pints were 1.70, from 7-9 they were 2 and then 2.50 after that, (not 100%on the prices)
Great Times!
@Peter Cavey: Now you know why the pubs are fooked. Instead of happy hour its misery and rainy hour all year round.
@jl: those were the days
But it’s not the whole islands, so they are just gonna push the problem to a different part of the island,
Aye cos you go to Ibiza for the happy hour. Lol.
Was in Ibiza many moons ago back in the 1990s, great fun and great night life there. The old town of Ibiza is very classy with the castle and cathedral at the top. Would love to go back but age has wearies me and the years condemn. Sadly, without the fun and the night life I think it would be dull.
What nonsense and bad marketing by the islands. The reason tourism is so high in Ibiza etc is for those very reasons!
Sounds like a great idea.
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