UK holidaymakers are being warned of stringent new rules that will come into effect from Friday. Anyone who breaks the rules faces potential fines of up to £500.
Travel insurance experts at One Sure Insurance have cautioned tourists about the risks of smoking, drinking and even wearing football shirts. It has been reported that Spanish authorities are not only tightening alcohol regulations but also imposing fines for inappropriate attire in some popular tourist spots.
As the Euros are set to be enjoyed in pubs, bars and resorts across Spain from Friday, there is a stern warning that unacceptable behaviour and dress will not be tolerated, reports Wales Online. The UK Foreign Office has urged travellers to respect foreign laws or face penalties.
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A spokesperson for One Sure Insurance stated: “As the Euros kick off this month, we are seeing increasing numbers of British tourists head to their holiday destinations to enjoy matches in the sun. This has meant increasing bans on specific clothing items including football shirts and novelty wear to promote a more respectful environment.
“Majorca has seen multiple restaurants targeting clothes associated with drunken tourism. We’ve also seen that wearing just a bikini or being bare-chested with swimming shorts away from the beach could land tourists fines of up to £500 in various locations.”
Local laws in popular holiday destinations such as Majorca, Magaluf (Calvia), Playa de Palma, Ibiza, and San Antonio (San Antoni de Portmany) are clamping down on alcohol consumption. The new restrictions include bans on happy hours, open bars, alcohol vending machines, self-service dispensers, pub-crawls, party boat trips and the sale of off-licence alcohol from 9:30pm to 8am.
Fines for smoking in public spaces like beaches and restaurant terraces can reach up to €2,000 (around £1,700). Beachgoers caught drinking alcohol could face a £650 penalty, while tossing cigarette butts or litter from a moving vehicle may result in a fine of 4 points and €200.
Tourists are also warned against dangerous balcony antics, with the Foreign Office highlighting that hotels have the right to evict those engaging in such behaviour. Additionally, efforts to protect marine wildlife mean using soap or shampoo at the beach could incur a £560 fine.
One Sure Insurance added: “We are urging all travellers to familiarise themselves with these regulations before departing to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday experience.”
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