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Spain has long been regarded as one of the most attractive destinations for British tourists, enticing thousands of visitors annually with its vibrant cities and white-sand beaches.
With so many international visitors entering the country, however, concerns of overtourism have emerged and Britons are warned of the things that could get them fined.
A new ordinance is being introduced that could see misbehaved visitors fined £2,500, as the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, cracks down on rowdy tourism.
The pledge was announced by the politician during a speech at the International Tourist Conference in Berlin on Tuesday March 5 and an expert has spoken to GB News about what this could mean for Britons.
New rules could come into effect at several hotspots across Spain
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It is understood that several destinations across Spain could be gearing up to implement a fine for unruly behaviour.
Timon van Basten, tour guide in Spain and the founder of Travel Spain 24, told GB News he has noticed local unrest in areas like Mallorca, where citizens complain of issues like “public drunkenness, noise complaints, and not respecting cultural norms”.
“In response, lawmakers there implement a ‘zero nonsense’ policy looking to slap unruly tourists with fines up to a hefty €3,000 fine (£2,564) for bad behaviour,” he said.
Sara Rodriguez, founder of Madrid Traveling, has also noticed a “palpable” frustration among locals in recent years, as once-calm neighbourhoods have been overtaken by “rowdy crowds”.
Though the introduction of fines may help preserve the quality of life of locals, Sarah believes it may not be enough to solve the deep-rooted issues.
She notes that the rules will instil a sense of equilibrium, however, adding: “If you want to let loose, do so respectfully at establishments that offer late-night revelry.”
Jaime Martínez’s contemplation of fines for anti-social behaviour in Spain aligns with a global trend in population destinations to maintain a positive atmosphere for tourists and locals, pointed out the CEO at Ibiza Summer Villas, Michele Massa.
“The non-discriminatory nature of these fines means that they will apply equally to all tourists from the British to seasoned locals sharing these vibrant spaces,” explained Massa.
“By introducing these fines, authorities are sending a clear message: enjoy our beautiful destinations, but with respect for the local culture and community.
“The rollout of these measures is expected to take place in key tourist hubs like Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza and Mallorca.”
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Spanish tourists are encouraged to respect local
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To avoid any fines, Massa recommends travellers enquire about local customs and regulations before making plans.
It comes as tourists will be hit by a new administrative task before visiting Spain in October when the new Entry-Exit System and European Travel Information and Authorisation System are introduced.
The new automated systems, which will control the data of non-EU citizens crossing the Schengen area’s external borders, may cause minor delays for Britons visiting Spain and France, experts have warned.
To find out about the rules, tourists are encouraged to visit the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before travelling.
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