Spain has new rules for tourists in order to make the country a more attractive and reputable tourist destination, preserve the cleanliness of its beaches, curb rowdy behaviour and afford locals some peace and quiet.
A new rule by Mallorca’s restaurant association states that tourists who are no-shows for their restaurant reservations will have to pay. The booking will require a valid credit card number and in the event of a no-show, the restaurant may claim 20% of the average bill for the restaurant.
There is already a smoking ban on beaches in the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera and the surrounding smaller islands. Smoking on the beaches of Barcelona and the Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, among other smaller islands) could cost offenders a fine in excess of €2 000 (R40 000).
Authorities on the party islands of Ibiza and Mallorca are handing out fines to people attending unlicensed events, as well as those who run them, in an effort to prevent excessive noise and rowdy behaviour. Police on Ibiza and Mallorca have the power to shut down parties, issuing fines as they do so.
Holidaymakers in the Mallorcan resorts of Magaluf, El Arenal, Playa de Palma, and in Sant Antoni in Ibiza are now limited to six free alcoholic drinks per day, distributed evenly between lunch and dinner.
Alicante, famous for its nightlife, has introduced tough new regulations to curb noise pollution. Tourists falling foul of the new anti-nuisance laws face fines of face fines up to €30 000 (R622 000).
A number of restaurants on Palma de Mallorca beach resorts have developed a dress code. They have banned football shirts, strapless vest tops and swimsuits.
Music is prohibited on certain Spanish beaches.
