Magaluf now begging for British tourists to visit after town left 'half empty'

One of the Spanish resorts most loved by British tourists has spent the last few years trying to clean up its image and stop being known as a party town. But these efforts were seemingly swept under a rug amid an apparent decrease in tourists in Majorca, one of the most popular Balearic Islands.

Magaluf, the popular resort in the municipality of Calvia, saw the introduction in 2020 of the so-called "tourism of excesses" decree.

This regulation, wanted by the left-wing PSOE party then leading Calvia town hall, aimed at regulating boat parties, street drinking and pub crawling in order to crack down on anti-social behaviours.

Last month, the Balearic Islands government expanded these rules on street drinking and party boats to further reduce the number of alcohol-fuelled holidays across the archipelago. 

This meant people caught drinking outside of authorised areas would risk a fine ranging between £430 and £1,290.

The legislation also introduced tougher rules against party boats, banned from getting closer than one nautical mile to the designated areas and from picking up or disembarking passengers.

However, on June 1, the local government in Calvia now led by the right-wing coalition made up of the Partido Popular and Vox U-turned and reduced the zoning in Magaluf to which the decree applies by 90 percent. The regulation now affects almost exclusively Punta Ballena, most commonly known as the Magaluf Strip.

The PSOE spokesperson at the Calvia town hall, Nati Francés, criticised the move and, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, said: "The message that is being sent with this 90 pecent reduction is contrary to that which was winning the battle against tourism of excesses in Magaluf. 

"Shops are being told that they can sell alcohol at night again; bars that they can return to aggressive offers like 2 for 1 or 3 for 1; and all-inclusive hotels that the alcohol offer will not be limited."

Speaking about the new zoning ahead of the introduction of the refreshed regulation, the leading parties in Calvia said: "The PP and Vox are defending tourism businesses against the attempts of the socialists to damage the image of the municipality.

"The town hall is committed to positioning Magaluf as a safe and quality tourist destination. 

"The socialists want to maintain the stigmatisation of bars, restaurants and supermarkets, causing a large area to be harmed. The socialists want the just to pay for the sinners."

In recent days, after a wave of anti-overtourism protests swept through the Balearics, the Daily Bulletin reported Magaluf being "unusually quiet".

The publication also carried out a survey showing the demonstrations held by locals, which attracted nearly 15,000 people in Majorca, were having an impact on holidaymakers, with roughly 44 percent saying they would think twice before booking there.