Alcohol could be banned from all-inclusive holidays

Tourism officials in the Balearic islands have mooted the idea of banning free drinks as part of all-inclusive holiday packages in a bid to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour.

Unlimited booze deals, that come with many all-inclusive packages for those travelling to islands including Ibiza and Majorca have long been blamed for anti-social behaviour, particularly in Magaluf.

Last year a 22-year-old British man plunged to his death in Mallorca. The man was reportedly drunk and plummeted from a fifth-floor balcony in capital Palma.

Now, tourism chiefs, along with the Balearic government, are set to discuss the possibility of banning unlimited drinks deals completely, with a public consultation expected to go out this summer.

Local newspaper Diario de Mallorca said that the government is considering whether to force hotels to charge alcohol separately in the all-inclusive system.

It follows discussions last year that centred on the possibility of restricting all-inclusive hotels to only offering free alcohol at mealtimes.

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.”

Free alcohol as part of all-inclusive packages is a huge draw for holidaymakers, and it’s unlikely tour operators would let a ban go unchallenged. Similarly, such deals are a huge boon to the islands’ economy, however it’s been suggested that holiday companies could add guests added value in other ways, such as free trips or guided tours.

The government will discuss the options with individual island councils ahead of a public consultation.