Ibiza is a well-known and world renowned tourist hotspot, but it may not be so for long if the bylaw, which was approved late April, and applies to all drinks in order to stop revellers disguising alcohol in other bottles is widely applied.
Despite the criticism, Mayor Pep Tur said that the new law was promulgated in an effort to “stop young groups ‘causing a nuisance’†and consuming alcohol in public places.
According to the new law, tourists will be hit with a750 euro (£600) fine if they break the law by drinking on the streets, even if it is bottled water that they are drinking.
The mayor said it applies to all drinks to stop people trying to disguise alcohol because they have become totally exasperated with tourists exhibiting rowdy behaviour on flights to Ibiza, in the clubs and pubs, and even on the streets.
The move has prompted fears that tourists could become dehydrated if they are not allowed to drink even bottled water in the streets, especially when hiking around the town in soaring temperatures that can exceed 30C in August.
Town Councillor Aida Alcaraz added: “There are areas like terrace bars where of course people will be able to drink. But what they won’t be able to do any more is to take drinks out onto the streets in plastic glasses.â€
Councillor José Sala was very critical of the new bylaw and stated that he was not prepared to accept the decision.
Mr Sala of the Popular Party, added: “This is impossible and possibly even unconstitutional.â€
While any country or town that is a popular holiday destination or a soccer destination can surely understand how the authorities of Ibiza feel about drunken louts taking over their town and creating chaos wherever they go, it remains to be seen whether Britons will continue to visit the fourth most popular holiday destination in the world should this bylaw be implemented.
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