“Don’t walk home alone or with someone you don’t trust, it could cost you YOUR LIFE” is just one of the messages the British Embassy has sent out as part of its safety campaign for British tourists on the Balearic island of Ibiza.
Other slogans in the “Enjoy and Respect” campaign highlight the potentially fatal dangers of balcony jumping (Don’t fool around on balconies) and having one’s drink ‘spiked’ (Keep an eye on your drink).
“Based on the number of incidents there’s been in the past, it makes sense that the British Embassy has launched this safety campaign,” Roberto Hortensius, President of Ibiza’s Hotel Federation, told The Local.
“But the slogan which claims it’s dangerous to walk home alone in Ibiza is fake and excessive.
“What’s more, thousands of brochures with these ominous warnings have been distributed around Ibiza in hotels and areas where mostly families and tourists not looking to party are staying.”
According to Hortensius, the campaign should be directed at young British tourists staying at Playa d’en Bossa and San Antonio as they are the ones lacking “responsibility” when drinking excessively and partying.
“We don’t want a tourism model that promotes these irresponsible attitudes but unfortunately Ibiza still has Club 18-30 clubbing holidays which are largely alcohol-fuelled.”
The Local has also contacted the British Embassy in Madrid, who argue "the campaign messages were jointly agreed with local authorities in San Antonio".
"There are recorded incidents of the kinds of problems mentioned in the campaign and it's in everyone's best interests that tourists are safe and have the kind of holiday they want to remember"
"These incidents are not just limited to the 16-25-year-old market either."
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