A resort popular with tourists on the Spanish coast has taken drastic measures to deal with the problem of crowds of drunk vacationers. Beaches on the Orihuela Costa in Spain have announced the closure of their bars and the elimination of sunbeds, causing some upheaval for British tourists, who are the resort’s most frequented and most drunken and rowdy holidaymakers.
As explained by the British newspaper The Sun, this unexpected move by the authorities is related to the end of municipal contracts that previously allowed bars to operate on beaches such as Campoamor, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, and Mil Palmeras. Councilor Manuel Mestre confirmed that from now on, holidaymakers must carry cool drinks with them if they want to go down to the beach, as beach bars contribute to the spread of alcoholism in the resort area on Spain’s Costa Blanca and, as a result, drunken antics and brawls. The authorities hope that those who are sunbathing will drink less alcohol because will not want to constantly climb the hotel bar and descend back to the coast.
The local authorities are trying to “tether” and re-educate tourists from Great Britain who come to Spanish resorts for a lavish vacation with the help of other restrictive measures. For example, 28 beaches on islands such as Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca have previously been banned from smoking. This decision is designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle among residents and tourists, officials explained.
Here is a list of places where smoking is prohibited:
Ibiza
- Playa de Santa Eulalia de Rio
- Playa de Talamanca
Menorca
- Binissafuller
- Playa Gran
- San Juan
- Sa Platget
- Santa Ponsa
- Cala Estancia
- Cala San Vicente
- Calo de Moro
These places have become part of the no-smoking zone on these islands. Tourists and locals will have to manage their urges to smoke and adapt to the new rules on beaches and other public places.
Background: Orihuela Costa is a popular resort on the southern coast of Spain in the province of Alicante, which attracts many tourists with its Mediterranean beaches, sunny climate, and variety of entertainment. Orihuela Costa is known for its beautiful sandy coastline, attractive promenades and a wide selection of cafes, restaurants and shops. This region is particularly popular among vacationers from various countries, including Great Britain, Germany, and before the introduction of sanctions, Russia. Near Orihuela Costa are such resorts as Torrevieja, Cabo Roig, Punta Prima.