Tourism chiefs have been promising action for some months now after expressing concern that unlimited booze is at the root of the islands’ anti-social behaviour problems.
Now, it is understood, discussions are progressing over the idea of ruling out totally free and unrestricted alcohol in the main holiday resorts and the suggestion is likely to go out for public consultation later this summer.
Island newspaper Diario de Mallorca says the Government is studying the formula to force hotels to charge alcohol separately in the all-inclusive system, “thus stopping the sometimes massive consumption that takes place in the establishments that offer this service”.
No official announcement has yet been made but director general of tourism for the Balearics Antoni Sansó told the newspaper: “We don’t intend to prohibit alcohol because you can’t but we can regulate it. Rather than put limits on consumption or time, we propose that alcohol does not come into the equation but it’s not easy. The Government wants to rely on the same formula used for half-board and full-board packages in which they charge for alcohol separately.”
At one stage, the Balearic Government had been talking about all-inclusive hotels offering free alcohol at mealtimes only but this suggestion seems to go one step further and is likely to prove extremely unpopular.
What island leaders do want to do is to offer all-inclusive guests added value in other ways. Again, this has not been specified but the word “environment” has been used so it could involve free trips or guided tours.
The Balearic Government says it will be talking to all the individual councils before making any firm proposals.
All-inclusive hotels are said to be on the decline in Majorca and Ibiza. At one stage, they counted for 22 per cent of the accommodation offering but this has dropped. Now, there are about 270 all-inclusive hotels registered.
Tourism chiefs are particularly keen to clampdown in the Calvia district of Majorca which includes Magaluf. Calvia council has been pressing for urgent regulation of the all-inclusive hotel offer and wants the Government to make an announcement as soon as possible.
One restaurant owner told Diario de Mallorca: “There is no control on the part of the hotel company, no matter how much they say yes,and there are those who leave the hotel truly drunk, it hurts us in every way.”