Absolute ban on alcohol?

Tough rules against Mallorca tourists

Tourists crowd Mallorca's beaches. For many locals, there are too many.(Bild: APA/AFP/JAIME REINA)

The popular tourist island of Mallorca has had enough! Thousands of residents are protesting against the high number of vacationers. The mayor now wants to take action - including a ban on alcohol.

The mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, wants to take stronger action against mass tourism on Mallorca. To this end, he has now presented a series of measures, some of which are quite tough. However, he needs the approval of other authorities for many of them.

The conservative politician wants to implement his proposal to ban new guest beds in private vacation rentals immediately. He can also single-handedly introduce higher penalties for establishments that cause excessive pollution.

Mayor needs the okay from island council & co.
The situation is different for most of his other demands. In order to limit the number of holidaymakers, rental cars, cruise ships and vacation apartments, he needs the approval of the island council.

The Balearic government or even the Spanish central government in Madrid must also agree to double the fees for cruise holidaymakers, limit the number of tourists on city tours, restrict the access of rental cars to the city center, increase the presence of the local and national police and impose an absolute ban on alcohol.

Video causes head shaking
In the meantime, a video that has now emerged is causing a shake of the head. After a risky maneuver on the freeway in April, an islander chased the rental car of two Britons. They tried in vain to get away from him - sometimes even in reverse.

The pursuing driver rammed into the holidaymakers, gave them the middle finger and sped off. The police have already tracked down the driver and reported him to the police.