British holidaymakers looking for cheap and cheerful fun in the sun has sworn that they'll never book up for Magaluf again, after strict drinking rules hit the once upon a time notorious party favourite hard. Rules to crack down on binge drinking were first brought to the Balearic Islands three years ago, with Ibiza's San Antonio also affected.
Originally scheduled to cover all of the Spanish islands, they were brought in to stop 'bad behaviour'. Announcing the measures, Balearic Islands Tourism Minister, Iago Negueruela, said that British Tourism was 'essential' but shared views that 'some images of British tourists are embarrassing'.
It prompted strict legislation to be put in place, and four years on, businesses and punters are still trying to adapt. While some hotels 'welcome' the forward-thinking move however, tourists who enjoy a good party have started citing that there is now 'zero attraction' in visiting Maga altogether.
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The Express reports that Sarah Stewart, 45, has been holidaying in Magaluf for 22 years with a group of travellers now aged between 40 and 70. The regular visitors have mopped up the lively atmosphere and buzz of the island for decades, but Sarah says that they have 'never been so disappointed' after their most recent trip.
She said: "I’m not sure we’ll return. To be frank, there is zero attraction. The beaches, bars and restaurants are empty. There’s no music, no atmosphere and the regulations are ridiculous."
She continued: "As a middle-aged, well-educated crowd, we just find no attraction anymore. There is no music or atmosphere and places are empty."
In certain restricted zones, promoting the excessive consumption of alcohol is banned entirely. The open bars, pub crawls, drinks deals and happy hours are now simply a thing of the past - and alcoholic drinks are prohibited from sale from supermarkets between 9.30pm and 8.00am altogether.
Hotels offering all-inclusive deals also hold a maximum six alcoholic beverages per day, per person rule. Officers from both the local police and Guardia Civil regularly patrol these areas with a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards 'tourism excesses'.
However, not everyone in Magaluf see the restrictions as a bad thing - with new hoteliers opening sites up despite the party island seemingly losing its reputation. Cook's Club on Calvia Beach opened just last month with a slogan 'free-spirited hotel near the heart of the action'.
Susana Carrillo, CEO of Globales, which owns Cook’s Club, Calvia Beach, also claims that despite only opening in May that expectations are positive for summer 2023. She said: "As a new hotel in the area, we are expecting a busy first season, and we firmly believe in the success of our new project.
"Whilst there have been some restrictions and certain measures put into place by local authorities, these will improve the quality of tourism and promote a healthier, safer and more sustainable environment for our visitors and neighbours."
Susana described numerous efforts which had been carried out over the past few years by both public and private entities to change the image of the local area, citing how her hotel hopes to be part of a 'positive change'. She continued: "These new rules and standards have not been a problem for us, and we are receiving a different type of guest who is looking for a different kind of holiday and is more conscious of the style of tourism that they are choosing to take part in."
The local government say that the recovery of tourism following Coronavirus has been remarkable, citing how over 16.4million tourists were attracted last year alone. For context, that's a similar number to figures seen in 2019.
Party Hard Travel founder Nathan Cable says that the once image of Magaluf being totally 'lad culture' is now a thing of the past, and that the island is 'upping its game' as a travel destination. He said: "There’s been a concerted effort to move away from the lad-culture reputation that Magaluf had in the past, and that reflects what young people want from a holiday now.
"They’re looking for a VIP experience, from where they stay to the events they attend."
Nathan also believes that the island is attracting more big name DJs than ever, adding: "There is definitely an Ibiza vibe to Magaluf now. It’s growing up as a destination for sure!"
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