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MAGALUF

Magaluf bans drunk badly-behaved tourists

Bare chests, sex parties, falling down drunk in the streets and balconing will no longer be tolerated in Magaluf under new bylaws.

Magaluf bans drunk badly-behaved tourists
British tourists on a night out in Puente Ballena last summer. Photo: Jaime Reina / AFP

The Calvia town council passed new legislation on Thursday in a bid to clean up the drunken and debauched image of the Mallorcan resort of Magaluf.

In an attempt to rid Magaluf and the strip of Punta Ballena of its down-market reputation, tourists will be told to cover up when walking the streets away from the beach and anyone caught spitting, urinating or defecating in the street could face harsh fines.

The new rules, which come into place from June 9th, will also see those stupid enough to attempt to jump from balconies into swimming pools in the dangerous “balconing craze” fined between €750 and €1,500.

The council approved measures that will see a limit on “organized group pub crawls” – in a clamp down on the drinking tourism that has made the resort infamous.

In a bid to encourage more mature tourists back to its hotels, the measures will tackle street noise between the hours of 10pm and 8am and limit the sale and consumption of alcohol in bars and clubs after midnight.

Girls on a night out in Puente Ballena last summer. Photo: Jaime Reina / AFP

It will also see police given powers to deal with those caught drinking alcohol in the street or being seen to be inebriated in a public place.

Police will be able to confiscate alcohol and issue warnings to tourists appearing too drunk.

However, those caught drunk in the streets will not, under the current measures, face fines.

“Stamping out (the drinking culture) is a complex process and for now we are basically going to provide information and raise awareness,” explained Joan Feliu, a town hall councilor, according to a report in Spain’s ABC newspaper.

Town hall authorities have placed drastic restrictions on tour operators that promoted mass pub crawls and sex games in the wake of a video that went viral last summer showing an 18-year-old British holidaymaker performing oral sex on 24 men during a pub crawl.

Organizers are no longer allowed to promote such activities in their publicity material and can only stage one “pub crawl” per day limited to 20 people per group and only one tour group can be present in an establishment at any one time.

The strictest measures have been reserved for those attempting to participate in the craze of “balconing” when drunken tourists leap from the balcony into the swimming pool, a practice that often results in serious injury or even death.

Anyone caught attempting to climb over balconies or inciting others to do so could be fined.

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MALLORCA

Magaluf: Parts of resort may be closed, Spanish authorities warn

Parts of the Spanish resort of Magaluf on the island of Mallorca may be closed down after crowds of young tourists were caught on video running amok without wearing masks or respecting social distancing, authorities said.

Magaluf: Parts of resort may be closed, Spanish authorities warn
AFP

Footage of rowdy British and German tourists at the weekend went viral on social media, sparking anger from Spaniards who feared the holidaymakers may spread coronavirus. 

Lawyers for the Balearic Islands government, which governs Mallorca where Magaluf is located, are studying ways to close down the street and bars around Punta Ballena in Platja de Palma. 

The measure would reassure countries like Britain and Germany, whose tourists form the largest groups by nationality to come to the resort, that Magaluf is a safe destination, reported Diario de Mallorca newspaper.

It will form a package of tougher measures, which are due to be unveiled on Tuesday by the regional government, to stamp out loutish behaviour. 

“Of course we want tourists to come, but not carry out these excesses,” said Nati Francés, the deputy mayor of Calvià, which includes Magaluf.

“We want tourists who enjoy nightlife, yes, but we do not want an alcohol theme park.”

The measures may also apply to Sant Antoni de Portmany in Ibiza. 

Face masks are compulsory in the Balearic Islands in all public or private places, including bars and restaurants and can only be removed whilst eating and drinking. Anyone flouting the law faces a fine of €100.

Wearing a mask will not be necessary at the beach, at swimming pools, when playing sports or playing a wind instrument.

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