Party tourism in the Balearic Islands produced noise, violent brawls, clashes with residents, and a hollowing out of neighbourhoods into seasonal party zones. Tourist numbers reached nineteen million in a territory of 1.3 million residents, and average rents rose 158% over a decade, forcing some locals into caravans. The regional government extended a 2020 law and introduced stricter alcohol controls, banning public drinking in excess-tourism zones, restricting retail alcohol sales after 9.30pm, limiting all-inclusive hotel drinks, and pushing party boats offshore. Police were authorised to forward fines to consulates. The measures aim to reduce excessive tourism and promote sustainable, family-focused tourism.
Last summer, Spain's Balearic Islands launched one of Europe's toughest crackdowns on alcohol-fuelled party tourism. In popular resorts such as Magaluf in Mallorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza, tourists spilled out of bars at dawn, clutched cheap bottles from late-night shops, and treated entire neighbourhoods as giant open-air nightclubs. Local people were fed up. Noise complaints, violent brawls and clashes between residents and intoxicated tourists became routine.
Prices go up, rents go up, everything goes up except salaries. Hernando had to move into a caravan owing to the lack of affordable housing. Average rents have risen 158% over the past decade in the Balearics, with Palma now among the most expensive cities in Spain. Last summer, the Balearic authorities finally said: enough. The regional government, led by Marga Prohens of the People's party (PP), formally extended a 2020 law and introduced stricter alcohol controls.
Drinking on public streets was banned in designated excess tourism zones, including Palma, Llucmajor, Calvia and Sant Antoni. Fines of up to 3,000 were introduced for violations. Retail alcohol sales were restricted after 9.30pm, and all-inclusive hotels could serve only six drinks per guest per day. Party boats were pushed further offshore. Crucially, local police forces were authorised to forward fine notices to consulates to ensure accountability and discourage repeat offences. As wide-ranging as these new measures were, it wasn't just about law enforcement.
Collection
[
|
...
]