An annual budget of 16 million euros will be earmarked for the modernisation and improvement of the quality of the areas covered by the decree.
The composition of the Commission for the Promotion of Civility in Tourist Areas is modified, including consulates and the IB-Dona.
The Consell de Govern has approved, at the proposal of the Councillor of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the modification of Decree Law 1/2020, on the regulation against excessive tourism, which from now on will be called “for responsible tourism and the improvement of the quality of tourist areas”.
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The Government will prohibit alcohol consumption on public roads
The new wording includes a series of corrections and modifications to make the Decree more operative, to adapt it to the current situation, and is the result of meetings held between the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the main players in the tourism sector in the Balearic Islands.
As the most important new feature, the modification of the Decree prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages on public roads in the areas affected by this Decree, except terraces or legally authorised areas. Penalties for non-compliance with this rule will range from 500 to 1,500 euros.
It also includes the setting aside of a maximum of 4 million euros per year from the Sustainable Tourism Tax (ITS) for each of the municipalities affected. In total, 16 million euros per year for the financing of projects concerning measures to improve inspection, safety and awareness-raising for responsible tourism in the areas determined and affected by this Decree.
NEW ZONING
The areas affected by the measures provided for in this Decree are modified at the request of the affected local councils. The delimitation of the affected areas of Palma and Sant Antoni de Portmany is maintained, and those of Calvià and Llucmajor are modified, at the express request of the town councils.
It is also forbidden for boats with parties or multitudinous events and the sale of alcohol on board to come within one nautical mile (1.852 km) of the areas affected by this decree. It is also prohibited to pick up or disembark passengers within these zones.
The composition of the Commission for the Promotion of Civility in Tourist Zones has also been modified to include the island councils as ex officio members and to include representation from the most affected countries of origin, the Balearic Institute for Women (IBDONA) and representatives of the sectoral, trade union and business associations. In addition, the state government delegation will be invited to participate in this commission.
Furthermore, it establishes the duty of the local councils affected by this Decree to inform, at least once a year, the consulates that form part of the Excesses Commission of the number of incidents detected due to non-compliance with the municipal civic ordinances.
In this context, the administration responsible for the investigation and resolution of sanctioning proceedings must inform the Commission of the number of sanctions imposed for infringements of the Decree-Law, specifying the infringement committed, at least on an annual basis.
It should be noted that the correct interpretation of Article 6 concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages implies the total closure of commercial establishments between 21:30h and 08:00h of the following day, and not only the closure of the alcohol display cabinets.
The name change is motivated by the need to highlight the objective of this decree law and to emphasise the idea of responsible tourism. It is also considered that the previous title did not favour the image of the main industry of the Balearic Islands. It should be remembered that tourism accounts for more than 45% of the region’s GDP.
Finally, the Decree-Law on responsible tourism and the improvement of the quality of tourist areas will remain in force until 31 December 2027.