Once Spain’s top party resort known for its hedonism, Magaluf is changing its image. The resort has smacked several top nightclubs, bars and party boats with hefty fines.
Calvia Council said its zero tolerance approach was starting to pay off and changing Magaluf’s image.
Last summer, more than 30 sanctions were imposed on bars, discos and party boats under the new excess tourism laws.
Fines have amounted to nearly two million euros (£1.7m) with fines averaging between 130,000 euros (£112k) and 140,000 euros (£120k).
Tourism leaders have said that British tourists, the resort’s main market, are starting to get the message.
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Of the sanctions imposed, 12 were considered to be very serious according to Calvia’s mayor.
He said that eight were for selling alcohol outside the permitted hours and two were for the ‘denigration of the female body’ through billboards or advertising.
The mayor said that the tough fines had served to “reduce uncivil attitudes this year and to project outwards a better image of the destination”.
Some of the premises were also closed down or forced to temporarily close their doors under the sanctions.
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The police, council and Balearic Government all agree that the tough stance is working and should continue.
Catalina Cladera, president of Mallorca’s council, said: “We have made it clear that we do not want that type of tourism.”
Magaluf is one of the Spanish party hotspots where tourists can be fined for activities classed as ‘unwelcome’.
Tourists can face heavy fines for drinking too much, being rowdy in the streets or climbing on balconies.
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Known as ‘balconing’ in Spain, several tourists have sadly lost their lives after falling from hotel balconies.
In some incidents, tourists have attempted to climb from one hotel balcony to another and then fallen.
Hotels can also be fined if tourists are caught climbing on balconies at their establishment.
Magaluf has also introduced restrictions on party boats and all-you-can-drink deals are banned in most areas.
The rules are part of the resort’s plan to clean up its image and ditch its reputation for partying.
Tourism officials are reportedly trying to attract more family groups as well as cultural tourists.
The resort became famous over the last couple of decades due to its buzzing nightlife strip and popularity with party-loving Brits.
Additional reporting by Rita Sobot.