Organisers of bar crawls or other drinking "excursions" in Playa de Palma face tough action by the town hall. Mayor José Hila says that they will face the consequences. "We won't just look the other way. We will be strict."
The mayor was speaking in response to complaints by residents about an event last Friday at which there was "excessive consumption of alcohol". In sending out a warning to organisers, he stressed that the city wants a certain type of tourism and not another. "We want family, sporting, walking, sailing tourism. We do not want binge-drinking tourism."
Hila has sought the support of other public administrations. "I've spoken with the minister for tourism and with the national government's delegate so they know that when there is harm being caused to the image of the resort and to general co-existence, the town hall will come down hard on the organisers."
This is not just confined to a couple of days of bingeing. Hila acknowledges that this has been an issue for several years but that there has to be a start in bringing it to an end. "Our message is perfectly clear. We are committed to working with all the other administrations in doing so." He also stressed that there are bylaws that can be applied.
As for the event last week, Hila said that the town hall will be using all the means it has to punish the organisers, if it is proved that an infringement occurred.