Partying tourists in Spain linked to rise in sexual assaults – expert
Richard Tice hits out at demand for child-free air travel
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Calvia in Majorca, has the highest number of reports of sexual assaults in Spain. The resort includes the party area of Magaluf, popular with British tourists.
A conference at the University of the Balearic Islands, organised by the Guardia Civil, said there was a link between tourism of excess and sexual crimes.
Tourism of excess means party tourism in Spain and involves tourists binge drinking and getting out of control.
Alejandro Miquel Novajra, a sociologist and professor of philosophy and social work, said there were “close links” to party tourism and sexual assault.
The professor said party tourism created “conditions of possibility” for sexual assault to occur.
The number of reported sexual assaults is partirculary high in resorts such as Magaluf but also in other popular areas such as Sant Antoni in Ibiza.
Novajra said there was a culture of “anything goes” among some tourists in party resorts which could lead to crime.
He said: “It is not an explicit cause but an implicit one. I can do what I couldn’t do in my country.
“A tourist arrives and for one or two weeks, he can do what he wants.”
He added that the growing “objectification of women” through social media was also responsible for the rise in cases.
Other experts suggested that staff in nightclubs and other evening establishments could have more training for risk situations.
Novajra said the situation could be worse in Majorca as it’s a “tourist society” with a reputation for party tourism.
He added that the most affected resort areas were those where the visitors were “predominately British”.
In July a British tourist was arrested on suspicion of raping a British female tourist in Magaluf.
The UK Government travel advice for Spain states: “Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are rare but they do occur, and are often carried out by other British nationals.
“Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including ‘GHB’ and liquid ecstasy.
“Alcohol and drugs can make you less vigilant, less in control and less aware of your environment.”
The conference came as Magaluf tries to change its reputation as a party resort and target a new kind of tourism.
The popular resort is aiming to target a more family-friendly audience and ditch its notoriety for partying.
New laws on drinking are in force in some areas of the Balearics and bars will no longer be able to serve all-you-can-drink deals.
‘Balconing’, when tourists attempt to climb on hotel balconies, also comes with a heavy fine for the tourist and their accommodation.
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