National
All-inclusive holidays could look very different this year, as some areas of Spain, including tourist hotspots in Majorca and Ibiza, are launching a crackdown on alcohol. In fact, holidaymakers will now be given a six-drink-a-day limit which can only be served with lunch and dinner in the restaurants.
The new rules, which were first announced in 2020 but didn’t come into force due to the Covid pandemic, were explained in a statement to customers from Thomas Cook. The company said: "Please be advised that a decree has been issued by the Balearic Government on a new restriction for All-Inclusive options in Magaluf, El Arenal, Playa de Palma in Mallorca, and Sant Antoni in Ibiza”
"There is now only a maximum of six alcoholic drinks per person per day that can be served, and these drinks will be provided only during lunch and dinner, with a maximum of three at each.”
The Government is introducing the new rules in an attempt to curb drinking on the islands, with officials also banning pub crawls and the sale of alcohol in shops between 9.30pm and 8am.
Travel association ABTA said it “strongly supports initiatives that improve the health and safety of holidaymakers, as well as the welfare of local communities”.
The spokesman added: “ABTA will continue to engage with the Balearic Islands Government, ABTA Members, and other parties, to encourage clear communication and exchange of information, in order to ensure holidaymakers travelling to hotels in the designated areas enjoy a positive customer experience.”
A regional government spokesperson said: “Efforts to promote the destination, to provide it with better quality through both public and private sector investments, and position it in an increasingly competitive and global market, have been affected recently by certain un-civic behaviour. Most of this type of behaviour is directly related to alcohol abuse in certain tourist areas of Majorca and Ibiza.”
This action comes after the Minister of Tourism for the Balearic Islands, Iago Negueruela, previously said that they don’t want their resorts associated with heavy drinking culture. “We want British tourists, but we don't want this type of tourism anymore,” he said.
“British tourism is essential for our islands. We share with the British government the view that some images of British tourists are embarrassing. We want to put a stop to bad behaviour. We will increase the police presence in these areas and the number of inspectors, and we will have zero tolerance for tourism excesses.”
Local bar and restaurant owners are delighted that this measure has been introduced as they say all-inclusive has destroyed their trade over the years, as people stay in the hotels and then only come out after the all-inclusive has finished or for a ‘last drink’.
How long will it be before this is adopted in other areas, or islands, in Spain?
