The Balearic Government has written to travel agents and tour operators to give advance notice of the controversial changes which, it is claimed, will help cut out drunken tourism in the leading party resorts.
Tourism chiefs say they still intend to implement the new rules, which will end unlimited free booze for guests and see them served alcohol only during mealtimes and through waiter service.
At any other times and anywhere else in the hotels, drinks will have to be paid for.
Hoteliers fear the crackdown on all-inclusive hotels will hit them hard in the pockets, reduce competitiveness and threaten jobs but the Balearic Government is sticking to its decision.
The only concession being offered is that the changes will not come into force until 2020, giving the tour operators and travel agents plenty of time to do new deals with the hotels and change their brochures and offers.
The Balearic Government says the changes will need to be covered by new legislation and this will be carried out next year.
However, the tourism department concedes that many tour operators have already signed deals with hotels for 2019, hence the extra year that’s been given.
Letters have been sent out to the Association of British Travel Agencies and the German Travel Association.
In the letters the Balearic Government announces its intention to "prohibit the unlimited consumption of alcohol in all-inclusive hotels" because it is considered a public health issue in Ibiza and Majorca.
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The tourism department has told ABTA and DRV: "We would like to inform you in advance that the Balearic Ministry of Tourism will publish a draft legislation on tourism.
"The Balearic Island Government has drafted a legislation to ban unlimited consumption of alcohol in all-inclusive hotels.
"One of the articles concerns all-inclusive hotels in the Balearics. As we consider this a matter of public health, the new law will limit the consumption of free alcohol to meal times (lunch and dinner)."
It continued: "In addition, the self-service of alcohol will be eliminated and alcoholic beverages may only be served by hotel staff.
"Further changes concerning all-inclusive hotels are a future ban on disposable tableware in order to reduce plastic waste and to protect the environment."
Sun Online Travel previously revealed that Benidorm is having its worst summer since 2010 – as Brits are abandoning the resort.
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