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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Lifestyle
Michelle Cullen

Spain travel: Irish holidaymakers warned of 'six drinks a day' rule at all-inclusive resorts in tourist hotspots

A tour operator has warned Irish holidaymakers of a 'six drinks a day' rule that has come into place at all-inclusive Spanish resorts.

Thomas Cook has warned customers travelling to Spain's Balearic Islands this summer that a new rule will see an end to "unlimited drinks".

In a statement to holidaymakers, the company highlighted a new rule imposed by the Balearic Government.

READ MORE: Four questions Irish tourists need to ask before holidaying in Spain, Portugal and more after problems

The new rule will affect resorts in hotspots such as Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca.

Thomas Cook said: "Please be advised that a decree has been issued by the Balearic Government on a new restriction for all inclusive meal option.

"There is a maximum of six alcoholic drinks per person per day that can be served and these drinks will be provided only during lunch and dinner (three each)."

The new measures come as part of a new tourism law passed by the region's government in early February.

The new law aims to attract only "quality tourism" and deter bad behaviour whilst staying in such resorts.

Speaking in London in February, the islands' tourism minister, Iago Negueruela, said: "We want to put a stop to bad behaviour. From April to 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."

As part of the new law, other measures have also been introduced.

These include a ban on building new resorts for four years, improving tourism sustainability, the modernisation of pre-existing hotels and resorts, and an end to free bars, happy hours, and drinks deals on the islands.

Shops selling alcohol will also be forced to close from 9.30pm to 8am every day.

Some councils in Spain have also banned drinking alcohol out in public areas, such as in the street or on the beach. On-the-spot fines can be issued for such offences.

The law will be initially in place until 2025, with the scope for extending it. It was backed by many local institutions and businesses who wanted to crack down on tourists' excessive drinking.

Bali has also hinted that it may follow suit.

Indonesia's coordinating minister of maritime affairs and investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, told local press in September: "We will filter the tourists who visit. We do not want backpackers so that Bali remains clean, and the tourists who come here are of quality."

Although he later corrected his comments, the country's tourism and creative economy minister, Sandiaga Uno, made similar comments two months later, saying Bali was championing a "personalise, customise, localise" approach and "smaller, much, much smaller in size tourism".

"We want to improve the number of days that they are spending in Indonesia, the length of stay.

"We want to make sure not only a much better-quality spending but also the impact to environment. The 17 million plus numbers put a heavy tax on our environment. We're moving into quality and sustainability type of tourism."

READ MORE: Spain holidays: Irish tourists warned about ‘forbidden’ act that carries massive fine

READ MORE:Irish tourists warned to watch out for 'incorrect change' scam at hotspots in Spain, Portugal and Italy

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