Majorca shop owners admit they would prefer boozy Britons to losing money amid anti-tourism row
Tiger Tiger in Magaluf
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Business owners in a tourist holiday hotspot have said they prefer Britons on holiday to losing money amid a furious anti-tourism row.
Tourists in Magaluf can be fined if they are caught drinking on the streets or buying alcohol past 8.30pm, in a move the government says is only protecting the island.
However, tattooists, nightclub workers and taxi drivers were left raging when the authorities decided to embark on the "stupid" journey to rid Magaluf of its binge drinking culture.
Some have even claimed their livelihood is at risk following the new legislation.
The main strip in Magaluf
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Father-of-one José, who has been a taxi driver for in Magaluf for 22 years, told MailOnline the government’s restrictions would lose him money as younger tourists are more likely to require a lift in the early hours.
He said: "It’s going to ruin our business. With these people we work 24 hours, with other people it’s quieter at night."
Toilet assistant John, 45, has cleaned the loos and sells aftershave at Tokio Joe's nightclub on the Magaluf Strip for ten years.
He said: "The government don't want the tourists. It used to be busy but now it's going down, down, down. It's going to clean out the club. It's not what it used to be any more. They're going to clean out the business."
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Magaluf Beach
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Following anti-tourism protests, the government banned drinking in the street and buying alcohol after 8.30pm from corner shops. Anyone breaking the rules introduced on May 11 could be fined up to €1,500 (£1,350).
If someone’s offence is decided to be more serious, the fines could increase to €3,000 (£2,550).
Every tourist fined will be reported to their respective embassies. The crackdown will last for at least five years, by which time officials hope to have cleaned up the town.
A poll by the Majorca Daily Bulletin found 43 per cent of Brits were thinking twice about coming to the island.
The Red Lion pub in Magaluf
PA
Father-of-two Oscar, 41, has worked on the Magaluf strip at Sailor Tattoo House for ten years. He said: "The government is ruining businesses. They say, 'tourists go home'. That’s stupid and it's costing us all money.
"Tourists come and spend their money in the area, which is good for jobs and the economy. It’s just a political thing for the votes, like, ‘'I care for the island, the island is just for the Mallorcans.' That’s racism.
"I’m ashamed when people say ‘’go home tourists’’ because I’m Mallorcan. I hate the government."
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