New maps show the exact areas of Spain which are under all-inclusive restrictions and drinking laws.
Holidaymakers visiting these areas will have limitations on alcohol, and will be banned from pub-crawls and party boats, or they risk a fine of up to 600,000 euros. The maps, which have been released by LOTUS, the tourist board that represents the Balearic Islands in the UK, show detailed locations, including street names, which will adhere to the drinking laws.
The change in law is affecting holidays in the Balearic region of Spain and was actually introduced in early 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic many Britons have not been able to travel to the popular party resorts, until now.
Read more: TUI send out important passport warning to anyone who has booked a holiday this year
The Balearic Regional Government passed a Decree (rule of law) to manage alcohol consumption in central areas of Magaluf, El Arenal, Palma Nova, Playa de Palma and the West End of Sant Antonio de Portmany Town, and now Ibiza. As a result, “happy hour”, organised pub crawls, two-for-one drink offers and unlimited alcohol as part of an all-inclusive meal plan have been banned.
LOTUS say that the objective of the law is to tackle uncivil behaviour and offer a better quality tourism. For this, the government mapped specific areas after extensive research.
The maps show that the only areas affected by the full rules are some streets in the specific areas of Ibiza and Mallorca.
The law, that was defended and requested by many institutions and businesses on the islands, will initially be in place until 2025 . The local authorities feel there are specific topics that need to be tackled in order to reverse degradation and any negative impact that party tourism has had.
The six-drink rule for all-inclusive properties within the areas means that travellers will be limited to three alcoholic beverages during the lunch timetable and three during the evening timetable. Other rules which have now been made into law include a ban on jumping from balconies, pub-crawls and party boats. Fines of up to 60,000 euros, depending on the offence, can be imposed.
Those who take part in any of the above will be penalised with fines of between 6,001 to 60,000 euros.
The law recognises very serious offences as those that only affect venues and establishments (not individuals) and LOTUS notes that these offences "include the sale of alcoholic beverages after hours allowed; offer alcoholic beverages in open bars, happy hours or 2x1 and 3x1 offers; keep alcohol dispensers; sell alcohol to minors; advertise or conduct pub-crawls/alcohol excursions or commit two serious offences in six months, amongst other circumstances."
These offences can incur fines of 60,001 to 600,000 euros as well as the closure of the establishment for up to three years. Visitors can face a fine between 1,000 and 6,000 euros if they take part in any other offence mentioned previously and this will be considered a minor offence.
The Government of the Balearic Islands, in collaboration with the British embassy, added Ibiza to their joint campaign to promote the Balearic Islands as a safe destination in the United Kingdom, as well as zero tolerance against uncivil behaviour this season.
With the new addition of Ibiza, the authorities have launched a ' Stick with your Mates' campaign, which will be rolled out from June 1 to August 31, 2022 and will target young visitors through a series of short videos and digital images on Instagram and Facebook.
LOTUS has said the campaign will " encourages young British holidaymakers to have a holiday to remember, rather than one to forget, providing them with tips and advice on how to take care of one another and help avoid serious accidents while on vacation."
The two Islands that aren't enforcing the drinking restrictions are: Menorca and Formentera.
