Spain warning as Brits face having their holiday ruined by new crackdown across resorts
BRITS are being warned of a new crackdown across Spanish holiday resorts that could ruin your trip.
Majorca has launched a major campaign against illegal holiday lets in the island's most popular resorts.
Over the next two weeks, tourism inspectors will be swooping on properties in the capital city of Palma where short-term holiday flats are not allowed although it is believed that the practice is still widespread.
Anyone breaching the rules will face a fine of between €20,001 and €40,000.
While tourists won't be fined, they could find themselves without anywhere to stay if they book one of the rentals, only for it to be closed down before they arrive.
And with hotel and holiday prices booming, could leave you out of pocket as well.
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The island's council says it is vital to protect quality tourism and to avoid the so-called tourism of excesses.
Inspectors have been checking websites and tourist forums for holiday let adverts.
A spokesperson said: "Majorca council took over the powers in matters of tourist planning on January 1 and since then, we have been acting with the utmost force against illegalities that harm tourist services."
Around 200 flats are to be checked in the next few weeks, with another 361 already monitored since the beginning of the year.
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And government leaders are asking local people to shop anyone they know is renting out rooms or flats without the proper permission.
They continued: "In addition, the public can inform the island institution via e-mail if they are aware of any property that offers tourist rentals without being registered in the Tourist Register of the island of Majorca. "
In the coming weeks, similar measures will also be carried out in the party resort of Calvià, which includes Magaluf, and Playa de Palma, to ensure compliance with new laws against excessive tourism.
There are strict new rules across Ibiza and Majorca too, with Brits facing fines up to £250,000 if caught at illegal parties.
Holidaymakers will now be slapped with a six-drink-a-day limit instead of having alcohol on tap when on an all-inclusive break.
Tourists can only have three free tipples at lunch and three with their evening meal.
Balearic officials have also put the block on boozy pub crawls, the sale of alcohol in shops between 9.30pm and 8am and advertising party boats in some areas.
Balearic Government chiefs say they want to improve the image of the party resorts which have a reputation for boozy and bad behaviour.
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Brits heading to Spain still need to be vaccinated, with the current Covid rules in place until at least June 15.
And face masks are still required on planes, Spain's Ministry of Health announced despite the lifting of them being mandatory by the EU.
