Spain holiday blow as hotels scrap much-loved freebies at popular hotspot
BRITS staying in “posh” hotels in Majorca this year are in for a shock when it comes to extra treats and toiletries.
Under the new tourism laws introduced in the Balearic Islands, hotels are obliged by law to eliminate most of the free courtesy products from rooms.
This means there could be no free shower caps, no toothbrushes, no razors and no soap in your hotel room.
The tourist establishments on the islands, which include Menorca and Ibiza, must find non-polluting or non-single-use alternatives instead.
The new rules fall under the new tourism law of the Balearic Islands, called the Law for Circularity and Sustainability in Tourism of the Balearic Islands.
The new law not only focuses on fixed elements such as raised beds but also on polluting amenities.
From now on, these single-use items must be adapted to the criteria of environmental and social sustainability.
Balearic environmentalists say packs of disposable welcome products such as combs, toothbrushes, soaps and gels or shower caps generate a volume of waste and have negative effects on the environment.
The measure is also aimed at reducing the workload of chambermaids who won’t have to carry the products on their trolleys, reducing their weight and cutting out the need to keep replenishing them in rooms.
According to island newspaper Diario de Mallorca, the ban will affect packs with disposable combs, shaving foam, towels, body creams, toothbrushes, toothpaste and disposable cups.
Edible amenities will also be affected including chocolates, coffee capsules and sachets, bottles of water, wine, fruit, tea, other infusions, sweets and bottles of champagne.
Stationery amenities, such as pens, notebooks, erasers, notepads, pencils and pencil sharpeners, will also be ditched.
The Balearics introduced the new law last year and it will kick in this year for the first full season.
The islands’ government is one of the first areas of Spain to do this and is considered a pioneer in sustainable tourism.
Many hotels across Europe have scrapped the travel-sized toiletries, and instead have larger bottles attached to the wall.
A hotel manager has revealed the things you can – and can’t – take from your hotel room.
However a mum sparked debate when she revealed what she often takes from her hotel room.