Fun-time fines
One of the Mediterranean’s hotspot resorts for party-seeking young holidaymakers has announced plans for a major crackdown on many of the ‘activities’ that draw them to the town. David Ing reports
One of the Mediterranean’s hotspot resorts for party-seeking young holidaymakers has announced plans for a major crackdown on many of the ‘activities’ that draw them to the town. David Ing reports
Ever since hundreds of drunken youngsters, many of them foreigners, waged a series of street battles with police in August 2011, Lloret de Mar in the Catalonia region of northeast Spain has been looking at strengthening measures to clamp down on ‘indecorous and dangerous behaviour’ in an effort to try and restore the town’s image.
Among a list of new by-laws to be introduced by the town council are fines against those who practice what is known as ‘balconing’, where young people jump off hotel balconies, either aiming to reach another one or to plunge into a swimming pool below.
Although the ‘sport’ is by no means exclusive to Lloret, three tourists are reported to have died while trying it in the town in the last three years. People who do balconing in future could face fines of up to €1,500, a maximum penalty which will also be applicable to hotel owners who don’t do enough to impede their guests.
“There are many hotels that don’t have railings in a good state or at the height they should be,” said the councillor in charge of safety, Jordi Martinez.
Other measures announced by the town hall in February include a clampdown on prostitution in the street and the banning of pub and disco tours, cheap drink promotions and drinking on the street. Several of these restrictions were introduced on a provisional basis after last year’s street battles.
Some of the town’s hoteliers have already complained about the new by-laws, which will be opened to public consultation before being finally approved. They argue the measures will place too much emphasis on them to control their guests. Under the new measures hoteliers will be expected to prevent guests from doing things such as firing air pistols or throwing bucketfuls of water into the street below, or face being fined themselves.