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Unlimited Booze On All-Inclusive Holidays To End In Parts Of Mallorca And Ibiza

Unlimited Booze On All-Inclusive Holidays To End In Parts Of Mallorca And Ibiza

Magaluf, Playa de Palma, and San Antonio are introducing new rules on booze

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Unlimited alcoholic drinks on all-inclusive holidays could soon be a thing of the past as new rules come into force that are aimed at encouraging health and safety, as well as cracking down on anti-social behaviour.

That means in certain areas the number of alcoholic drinks you can get for free as part of a package will be restricted.

The popular holiday destinations of Magaluf and Playa de Palma in Mallorca, as well as the West End of San Antonio in Ibiza, are the first holiday hotspots to implement the new rules.

PA

These changes mean drinking all day in a bar at the hotel for nothing is a thing of the past. Drinks will be served with dinner and lunch, and self-service drinks arrangement are also to be stopped.

Furthermore, there will be a limit to the amount of drinks that can be served - three at lunch, three at dinner.

Balearic Islands Tourism minister Iago Negueruela said: "We want British tourists. We don't want this type of tourism.

"British tourism is essential for our islands.

"We share with the British government the view that some images of British tourists are embarrassing.

"We want to put a stop to bad behaviour. From April-May this year we will increase the police presence in these areas and the number of inspectors.

"We will have zero tolerance for tourism excesses."

However, if you've already booked one of these such holidays, don't worry about it too much.

Anyone who booked their package before 23 January, for a holiday in 2020 will not be subject to the new rules, according to the Association of British travel Agents (ABTA).

That means that as long as you've booked it already, you've got one final go at the unlimited free booze offer.

PA

A spokesperson for ABTA said: "ABTA strongly supports initiatives that improve the health and safety of holidaymakers, as well as the welfare of local communities.

"Some of the measures introduced by the Balearic Islands authorities to limit anti-social behaviour have potential to cause confusion for UK holidaymakers, so we welcome the recent clarification from the authorities, including that the restrictions will only apply to certain limited areas in Mallorca and Ibiza rather than the whole of the Balearics as originally proposed.

"It is important to note that the limits on alcoholic drinks in all-inclusive hotels does not apply to any holidays booked before 23 January 2020, for travel during 2020.

The spokesperson went on to explain: "For all-inclusive holidays booked after that date, we recommend that customers check with the agent or operator selling the holiday, as the exemption will still apply if there was an existing contract between the hotel and the tour operator agreed before that date."

PA

"ABTA will continue to engage with the Balearic Islands Government, ABTA Members and other parties, to encourage clear communication and exchange of information, in order to ensure holidaymakers travelling to hotels in the designated areas enjoy a positive customer experience."

The government of the Balearic Islands - of which Mallorca and Ibiza are a part - has also introduced a number of new rules this year that prohibit the advertisement of organised pub crawls, alcohol-based excursions, and happy hours in bars.

Also, the opening hours during which shops can sell booze are to be limited, and party boats will not be able to drop off or pick up in party hotspots, or advertise their wares.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, travel