Famous holiday islands in Spain are tightening restrictions against excessive revelry.
New regulations have been implemented in Ibiza and Mallorca, prohibiting drinking in main tourist areas. These restrictions, however, exclude terraces and licensed establishments. Anyone found violating these rules will face penalties ranging from €500 to €1,500 ($540-$1,615).
In addition to this, party boats that sell alcohol onboard are not allowed within one nautical mile of the mentioned areas. Passengers' boarding or disembarkation in these regions is also prohibited.
The recent modifications move away from the initial emphasis on "excess tourism" in the 2020 decree to "responsible tourism," acknowledging the negative effects these original terms had on the primary revenue source for the islands. With tourism accounting for over 45% of the local GDP, officials deemed it necessary to revise their stance.
The islands, known for their vibrant nightlife, have drawn young tourists and international celebrities for decades. Media reports of "uncivil behavior" in certain tourist spots have been increasingly concerning for locals. This conduct was largely blamed on alcohol consumption, which had negatively affected tourists' appearances and degraded areas for residents.
The 2020 decree, which comprised 22 articles, focused on various aspects of tourism such as accommodations, alcohol sales and advertising, monetary penalties, and preventing disruptive or harmful behavior. Serious injuries and even deaths were cited as consequences of the rowdy nightlife scene.
The reworked Responsible Tourism Decree sets aside 16 million euros ($17.2 million) from a sustainable tourism tax to aide the affected zones in financing projects aimed at promoting responsible tourism practices.
In April, residents from Spain's Canary Islands took to the streets in protest of rampant tourism, decrying the influx of visitors as a contributing factor in driving up housing prices and causing environmental harm. The tourism population had grown from 11.5 million annually to a staggering 16 million over the last ten years.
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Despite the new restrictions, travelers can still enjoy nightlife on terraces and licensed establishments in Ibiza and Mallorca.The US Secretary of State Blinken might consider discussing responsible tourism practices during his travels, drawing inspiration from Spain's initiatives.
Source: edition.cnn.com
