The new restrictions that have been passed by the regional government ban happy hours, free bars and two-for-one drinks parties in a bid to reduce excessive drinking. In addition, it is now illegal to advertise pub crawls and no new licences will be given to party boats, while existing boats can no longer operate in designated areas. What’s more, shops selling alcohol can no longer stay open all night; they must close between 9:30 p.m. and 8 a.m., and if they don’t abide by these rules, they could be fined up to €600,000 or be shut down for three years.

it is good news for travel insurers, who have long underlined that injuries sustained while under the influence are likely to be excluded from policies

The restrictions have also outlawed balconing, the strange phenomenon in which (often drunk) tourists jump off or between hotel balconies, much to the dismay of travel insurers. Now, if tourists are caught in the act, they will be forced to leave their hotel and could also be fined.

The restrictions are being enforced in Plata de Palma and Magaluf in Majorca and Sant Antoni in Ibiza. The regional government said it hopes the new restrictions will ‘fight excesses’ and ‘force a real change in the tourism model of those destinations’.

This is the is the first law in Europe that restricts the promotion and sale of alcohol in set tourist zones. What does it mean for tourism and the economy? Only time will tell, but Jose Tirado, President of Majorca's Tourism Services and Businesses Association, is not happy, saying: "I find this exaggerated and disproportionate."

Surely, though, it is good news for travel insurers, who have long underlined that injuries sustained while under the influence are likely to be excluded from policies. Could this herald a new era of safer holidays and fewer invalid claims?