European islands ban tourists. There is no mercy for drunken fights
A few years ago, the Balearic Islands in Spain took a strong stance against the reputation of being party islands. They stopped tolerating the behaviors of tourists who, after consuming alcohol, crossed all boundaries of good taste. Each year, more and more regulations are introduced to curb these types of excesses. The latest idea is to create blacklists.
Oct 21, 2023 | updated: 4:37 AM EDT, October 23, 2023
The Balearic Islands, especially Ibiza and Majorca, have been associated with the party destination for a long time. Heavy drinking parties, drunk tourists on the streets, and scandalous behavior in public places are everyday occurrences in resorts such as Magaluf. However, the islands are seriously working to combat this image.
Blacklists of tourists in the Balearics
The Director of Tourism for the islands - Jaume Bauza - has warned that the authorities of the Balearic Islands are considering the introduction of blacklists for tourists who behave inappropriately.
If the new regulations come into effect, vacationers who break the rules may be expelled from their hotels and will be banned from returning to the Balearic Islands. No more details have been given at this time.
This refers to, for instance, people who jump between hotel balconies, which in recent years has been a popular pastime on the islands during heavily soaked parties.
The Balearic Islands have been fighting the party island label for years
Already in 2020, Ibiza and Majorca introduced specific restrictions, which include a limit of six drinks in the all-inclusive offer in selected areas.
Simultaneously, from 3:30 PM to 2:00 AM Eastern Time, the sale of alcohol in stores was prohibited. All kinds of promotions on the sale of alcoholic beverages have also been withdrawn. Officially, pub crawling, or visiting several clubs in one night, has also been banned.
The harshest financial penalties, however, are threatened to entities offering so-called booze cruises. A financial penalty of up to 60 thousand euros (approximately 67,536 dollars) can be imposed for advertising a booze cruise on a yacht.
Additionally in Majorca, a fine of 500 euros ($587) is threatened for being on the street in a bikini. For "balconing" - meaning jumping from a hotel balcony into a pool - a fine of up to 1,5 thousand euros ($1761) awaits.
In 2022, the Spanish islands decided to take another step. This time, illegal parties are in focus. Since the past season, tourists are being fined for participating in such events, the fines ranging from 300 to 30,000 euros (approximately $340 to $34,000).
On the other hand, individuals or companies who organize such parties risk fines of up to 300,000 euros ($352,200). Such penalties can also be expected by food, beverages, or for example, tent suppliers, which were to be used during an illegal party.
