Majorca and Ibiza are limiting all-inclusive holidays - plus banning pub crawls and happy hours

The Spanish holiday destinations of Majorca and Ibiza have both introduced new laws that restrict the alcohol intake of tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)The Spanish holiday destinations of Majorca and Ibiza have both introduced new laws that restrict the alcohol intake of tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Spanish holiday destinations of Majorca and Ibiza have both introduced new laws that restrict the alcohol intake of tourists (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Spanish holiday destinations of Majorca and Ibiza have both introduced new laws that restrict the alcohol intake of tourists - in a bid to reduce so-called ‘booze tourism.’

The government in the Balearic Islands is trying to clampdown on boozy tourists by banning happy hours, party boats and organised pub crawls.

The new rules come as part of an attempt to reduce the amount of binge drinking carried out by holidaymakers, with the government hoping to change the reputation of certain Spanish holiday hotspots and make them more than just party towns.

Pub crawls, happy hours and all-inclusive hotels

New rules will mean that organised pub crawls will no longer be allowed to be carried out or advertised in the applicable regions.

Bars and pubs will no longer be allowed to host happy hours, which are said to contribute to an excessive intake of alcohol among tourists. Party boats are no longer able to advertise, drop off or pick up guests at the hotspots in the three regions that these new rules apply to.

The new regulations also include limiting the hours when shops are able to sell alcohol.

There will be restrictions on what all-inclusive hotels are able to serve guests, with the government having previously considered a move to limit the alcohol intake of guests.

The government in the Balearic Islands is trying to clampdown on boozy tourists by banning happy hours, party boats and organised pub crawls (Photo: Shutterstock)

Which areas are included in these new rules?

The new rules are not being rolled out across all of the islands, but will apply to the three regions of Playa de Palma and Magaluf - both in Majorca - and Ibiza's West End.

Fines in place if new laws are broken

If local businesses are caught breaking the law, they could face fines of up to €600,000, which is approximately £500,000. They could even be shut down for up to three years.

When do the new regulations come into force?

The new regulations come into force in January 2020, and are expected to be in place for at least five years.

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