“Alarming” situation – drinking tourism in Mallorca annoys even restaurateurs

Representatives of the party mile sounded the alarm these days. The hoteliers association AHPP, the catering association CAEB and the nightclub association ABONE have denounced what is now an “unsustainable” and “alarming” situation in a joint appeal. “It’s enough like this!” they say, demanding tougher penalties, more police presence and more controls from the authorities. The residents’ association of the S’Arenal district, to which Ballermann belongs, has also complained about the deteriorating behavior of many foreign tourists these days.

Almost 40 percent of all tourists come from Germany
The run on the island started this year in the spring with the opening parties of the major discotheques, including in Ballermann, the ultimate German holiday hotspot par excellence. The popular party mile is currently bursting at the seams. Already in April, almost 1.5 million visitors from abroad and mainland Spain came to the Balearic Islands, surpassing the previous record set this month (more than 1.3 million in 2019). Almost 40 percent of foreign tourists came from Germany.

Not only residents and bar operators, but also less noisy visitors are annoyed by the tourists, who can no longer contain themselves in the intoxication. Time and again new rules of conduct and laws were issued on Mallorca, years ago a “quality offensive” was launched, but the Ballermann is unstoppable.

Rules of conduct did not lead to the desired success
Officially, Playa de Palma is one of the zones in Mallorca where special rules of conduct apply in summer. They are intended to limit alcohol consumption by, for example, regulating sales and prohibiting advertising. “It is to be expected that this year we will face the same problems as the season,” said José Antonio Fernández de Alarcón, head of the Playa de Palma hoteliers association, which is already positioning itself to address the missteps. bring to the show.

DJ: “Ballermann stands for freedom”
On the other hand, “Bierkönig” DJ Aaron Müller asks for a certain instinct. “The Ballermann stands for freedom. In a way, it’s part of the game to misbehave.” The 38-year-old from Idar-Oberstein says it’s no different on German party miles. “99 percent of vacationers are well behaved given the circumstances.” This raises the question of where the line between good and bad behavior lies. “Personally, it doesn’t bother me when people shout in the street,” says Müller. Some may see it differently.

Tourists spend a lot of money – but few take advantage
Of course, part of the overall picture is that the party holidaymakers flush a lot of money into the island’s treasury. That is why the shops in the area adapt to the wishes. “A jewelry or shoe store is not worth the effort here. Even the perfumery at Ballermann now sells beer in cans,” says Weininger. However, the landlady thinks it’s a pity that the cash register doesn’t ring for everyone. “There are actually only three places that benefit from the party: Megapark, Bierkönig and Oberbayern.” Holidaymakers in Playa de Palma rarely go out for a good meal. “Usually they drop the disco and go to the kebab stand or the bratwurst stand across the street,” says Weininger.

This may also be due to the prices. Inflation has not detoured to Mallorca either. “It’s gotten damn expensive,” says Kevin Kirchheim. “For less than 200 euros per night in a four- to five-star area (in a hotel) with half board, nothing is possible.” “Then I’d rather save somewhere else at home.”

Young tourists sometimes find themselves without accommodation
Others even manage without a bed. More and more visitors – especially from Germany and the Netherlands – spend the night on the beach, complains the vice-chairman of the residents’ association of S’Arenal, Alain Carbonell. “The 18 to 20 year olds just come to get drunk.” The situation is “unsustainable”, he confirmed in an interview with the newspaper “Última Hora”. The newspaper wrote that locals were “afraid” of the approaching summer.

Rebecca from Stuttgart is staying with friends. That is why she especially noticed the higher flight prices. “I had to pay 25 euros each way for hand luggage alone.” She lost a total of 220 euros for the return flight. It used to be less than 100 euros. “Prices in the supermarket have risen, comparable to those in Germany.” The Swabian prefers to lie on the beach in Colònia de Sant Jordi in the southeast of the island. Although she does not drink alcohol, she has no problem with Ballermann. “I also listen to music at work. But there must be other sober people at the party. Because otherwise I have to play mom to all the drunks.”