A new regulation has been put in place in the Balearic Islands to control drinking habits among tourists. A revised decree that was passed on May 11th prohibits the sale of alcohol after 9:30 PM in an effort to curb “excessive tourism” in both Ibiza and Mallorca. This law will be enforced in party areas on both islands, including Palma and Magaluf in Mallorca, and San Antonio in Ibiza. The ban does not apply to bars, restaurants, and clubs.
The decree’s main objective is to crack down on rowdiness and excessive drinking in popular tourist locations. People caught drinking outside of permitted areas or offending are subject to fines of up to €1,500 (£1,290). The public authorities will count the number of sanctions imposed against tourists and report back to respective embassies. The Balearic government stated that it would be the first time that alcohol sales in tourist areas have been restricted in Europe.
New restrictions tighten up the decree initially passed in 2020 to curb “anti-social behavior”. Balearic Islands Tourism Council press officer Luis Pomar mentioned that he hoped the law would not be needed by 2024 if “we instill in people how to behave.” The law also stops boats from entering one nautical mile of any affected area, requiring them to pick up or drop off passengers somewhere else.
The restrictions will remain in effect until at least December 2027. However, some businesses have criticized this law, stating that tourists will drink alcohol in neighboring areas instead. Nonetheless, the authorities hope that these regulations will control excessive tourism and ensure the safety of tourists as well as the local community
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