Bars In Magaluf Could Be Closed This Summer In New Crackdown On Brits Abroad

Spain is cracking down on booze tourism, with as many as eight bars in Majorca facing closure, meaning the annual British pastime of mixing booze, sweat and god awful behaviour in the Balearics may soon be obsolete. 

Certain drinking holes stand accused of infractions against the Decree Law on Excessive (booze) Tourism, which was approved by the Balearic Parliament in 2022. 

Authorities also revealed why fines have been dished out in the Majorcan party town.

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At a meeting of the Commission for the Promotion of Civility in tourist areas this week, it was confirmed that eight establishments in Majorca - four in Magaluf and four in Playa de Palma - have been served with precautionary closure notices, according to The Majorca Daily Bulletin. 

Spain’s tourism season was reviewed at the meeting on the basis of the Decree Law.

Noting that the Decree Law on Excessive Tourism has been in place for two months, a government spokesperson said: “It is difficult to stop practices dating back 30 years in just two months.

“The regulations are effective and are accompanied by heavy fines.”

So far, the Law on Excessive Tourism has led to 27 fines being imposed in Magaluf, according to Alfonso Rodríguez, who is the mayor of Calvià.

Those fines have been in relation to non-compliance with opening hours, boat parties and the ‘degrading treatment of women’.

Rodríguez said: “The area must understand that we are going to be forceful in the application of the decree to improve the destination.”

Joana Maria Adrover, Palma City Council’s councillor for Citizen Safety, said she was ‘very satisfied’ with the crackdown on excessive tourism.

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Iago Negueruela, Spain’s Minister for Tourism, said at a press conference on Wednesday (20 July) that the bars’ definitive closure is currently being considered. 

Negueruela told those present that Spain wanted to combat excessive booze tourism while still working to ensure the Balearics remains a major holiday destination. 

Negueruela explained that the Decree Law on Excessive Tourism is in place to ‘banish a series of practices and a specific type of tourism on which action must be taken’.

He added: “Today’s balance sheet is positive, but it remains to be seen how the season ends. We are going to act forcefully because our destination has already said enough is enough to a type of tourism.”

Negueruela also insisted that more sanctions and closures will happen at the end of summer, noting: “This is a process that will not stop.”

UNILAD has approached Spain’s ministry of industry, trade and tourism for comment.