Nobody likes overtourism. At least not until it disappears and takes away with it the money. Magaluf is a Majorcan resort town notorious as a British tourist haven, complete with bars like EastEnders that mirror English high street pubs rather than traditional Spanish bars. Fish and chip shops, daytime drinking, and endless party nights that have little resemblance to authentic Spanish culture. That's Magaluf - or it used to be.

What might be a paradise for Brits isn't the same for locals, who want to curb the number of "traditional" tourists, mostly from Britain and Germany. As a result, Mallorca has launched a comprehensive crackdown on British tourism through multiple targeted restrictions. Public drinking is now banned in "excess tourism zones" like Magaluf, with fines reaching €3,000, while all-inclusive hotels are limited to serving just six alcoholic drinks per guest daily, and happy hour promotions are prohibited. Party boats have been banned from operating within one nautical mile of certain coastlines, and the Balearic Government's official Sustainability Pact explicitly aims to reduce dependency on UK and German tourist markets in favour of higher-spending, lower-impact visitors. These measures came amid growing local protests where residents argue that mass tourism has made traditional island life unsustainable.

Recently, the government of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera announced plans to raise the Sustainable Tourism Tax up to €6 (£5) per night in the peak season. Car rentals would be taxed up to €80 (£70), depending on the length of stay.

Not all locals are happy with the new rules, especially not those working in hospitality. Speaking with The Telegraph, the biggest reason for their regret is the lack of money new visitors spend. One local said that before, young Brits spent a lot on partying, but that is not the case for families, which often stay in an Airbnb and cook at home. "We have the marina, water park and golf, but they don't want to book it," she told the paper.

Another bartender added: "The Italians, they don't eat and drink. They come and share an espresso between four people. We miss the English, because the English spend money."

A British travel industry veteran who has lived in Majorca for 20 years recently documented the dramatic change in Magaluf this summer. Alex, a YouTuber with nearly 50,000 subscribers, shared her shock at the resort's quietness during what should be peak season.

Walking the strip at 11pm in August, she observed: "I thought it would be a lot busier than this, I am quite surprised to see Magaluf like this. It looks more like April... I can't believe it. It's not looking very busy at all." Security guards stood idle outside bars, prompting her to note they were "not needed really."

Alex questioned whether this represented a permanent shift, asking: "Is this the way Magaluf is going?" She suggested Palma Nova might become "the new Magaluf" as it appeared busier, though crowds there "still [aren't] the crowds expected in August."