Yahoo News Magaluf scraps strict drinking rules 'by 90%'
A number of strict drinking rules brought in to cut down on binge drinking in Magaluf have been scaled back, amid early signs UK tourists could snub the resort for other destinations.
Magaluf, on the Spanish island of Majorca, has eased off its strict "tourism of excesses" rules that were put in place to curb disorderly behaviour. But earlier this month, locals reduced the decree by a huge 90%.
The rules, which include a ban on drinking outside of authorised areas and tough restrictions around alcohol promotions, are pretty much confined to Punta Ballena - better known as the "Magaluf strip".
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Partido Popular and Vox, who are know in power in Calvia, were responsible for reducing the restriction zone, arguing that doing so was good for businesses.
In a joint statement the two political parties declared: "The PP and Vox are defending tourism businesses against the attempts of the socialists to damage the image of the municipality. The town hall is committed to positioning Magaluf as a safe and quality tourist destination.
"The socialists want to maintain the stigmatisation of bars, restaurants and supermarkets, causing a large area to be harmed. The socialists want the just to pay for the sinners."
Alfonso Rodriguez, former mayor of Calvia, said the change in rules sent out the wrong message in the fight against drunken tourism and could lead to things worsening. Now the Spanish government’s representative for the Balearic Islands region, Mr Rodriquez said Calvia Council had decided to reduce the area covered by a recently-modified regional government "responsible tourism" decree to “just 10%” of the area it used to encompass.
It still includes party strip Punta Ballena, described by one of his predecessors as “500 metres of shame.” He added: “We believe that this is going in a different direction to the one we were committing to, where we were asking for co-operation from the entire tourist industry and the public sector to combat the excesses we were seeing.
“The last tourist seasons have been successful, both 2022 and 2023, and I fear that modifying this zoning could send a message in the opposite direction to the one we were heading in.”
The change will be seen as a pro business one and comes after bar owners and tourists told the Mirror that a doubling of prices in some venues meant the once-cheap resorts are now beyond some tourists’ budgets
Mr Rodriquez was speaking out at an event on Wednesday where police chiefs presented their summer reinforcements at an official launch at a Civil Guard HQ in Magaluf. At the event it was confirmed drones will form part of the peak season operation to help keep British and Irish tourists safe.
The toughened-up regional government restrictions were announced last month as part of modifications to a 2020 decree introduced to curb some of the worst tourist excesses in parts of Majorca and Ibiza. The modifications include fines of up to £1,300 for tourists caught street drinking and forced night-time closures of shops selling alcohol.
The PSOE party - which introduced the decree in 2020 - are now in opposition at Calvia town hall as they are in the Balearic parliament, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported. The party's spokesperson said this week: "The message that is being sent with this 90% reduction is contrary to that which was winning the battle against tourism of excesses in Magaluf.
"Shops are being told that they can sell alcohol at night again; bars that they can return to aggressive offers like 2 for 1 or 3 for 1; and all-inclusive hotels that the alcohol offer will not be limited."
A recent survey by the Majorca Daily Bulletin revealed that approximately 44 per cent of those polled might reconsider booking a holiday on the popular island following massive demonstrations and protests against mass tourism from British and German tourists.
However, the study found that about 55% of the over 650 respondents were undeterred by the protesters. Images surfaced last week showing deserted beaches in the popular resort of Magaluf.
Photos of the beach and strip taken in Majorca over half term suggested the sunny island may be a little quieter than usual for this time of the year.
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