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Abta and Spanish Tourist Office team up to promote responsible tourism

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The Spanish Tourist Office (STO) is in talks with Abta and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to look at ways to encourage responsible tourism in Magaluf after a video showing sex acts during an organised pub crawl went viral.

The STO said it was also speaking to the Balearic authorities and private businesses following the release of the video showing activities on a pub crawl, organised by entertainment company Carnage Events, and now the subject of a police probe.

An STO statement said: “The aim of the discussions is to agree a series of measures to encourage responsible tourism in the Balearic Islands.”

It added that the video was damaging for the destination, which welcomes 3.3 million British tourists a year, and “not representative” of the Balearics tourism sector.

An Abta spokeswoman said: “This issue has come up before and we are in close contact with the Spanish tourist officials.”

New laws are being introduced to control pub crawls in Magaluf with operators and entertainment organisers having to apply for licences to operate such activities.

Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, welcomed any moves to encourage responsible tourism.

“It is heartening 
to know the Spanish tourist authorities are taking this seriously.”

Thomas Cook-owned youth brand Club 18-30 said it would adhere to any new regulations.

A spokesperson said: “We encourage customers to behave in a sensible manner and ensure the activities we organise in resorts, such as boat parties and club nights, are supervised responsibly.”

A spokeswoman for Tui Travel’s youth brand 2wentys said: “We are fully supportive of these new restrictions. This is a positive move.”

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