Ibiza and Majorca push new rules that may affect UK tourists

Partygoers in Ibiza and Majorca could face hefty fines with new laws coming into effect today.

The sale of alcohol between 9.30 and 8am was banned in 2020 to prevent partying tourists from disturbing locals in Palma and Magaluf in Majorca and San Antoni in Ibiza. However, these restrictions have now been strengthened.

Anyone caught drinking outside of the permitted hours could be hit with a fine of between £430 and £1,290, the Mirror reports. Party boats must also follow new rules preventing them from sailing too close to towns and cities in the Balearic Islands.

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Captains are prevented from sailing within one nautical mile of these places as well as picking up and disembarking passengers, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. Party boats had previously been banned from advertising in the areas.

Spanish government officials claimed the move would "force a real change in the tourism model of those destinations." The legislation will affect millions of Britons who visit the islands every year.

Luis Pomar, a Balearic Islands Tourism Council press officer told the BBC the 2020 law had curbed rowdy behaviour. He said the law would not be needed "in three to four years if we instil in people how to behave."

Some businesses have slammed the strict law and claimed Brits and other tourists will go to other resorts that do not have the same restrictions. Officials have backed the law, claiming it is vital to crack down on rowdy tourists.

Palma mayor Jaime Martínez said one of the main objects is to "correct uncivil attitudes," according to Sky News.

The law changes come as locals in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, have hit out against excessive tourism. Tourists on the island have woken up to graffiti telling them to "go home." The new decree is due to run until December 31, 2027 when officials hope it will no longer be needed.

Last month, around 50,000 furious locals took part in demonstrations against tourism to the island. The Canary Islands have a limit'. Clips of thousands of protestors chanting "si vivimos del turismo por qué no somos ricos?” ("If we are living from tourism then why are we not rich?") were also shared on social media.

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