Ban on bar crawls in island resort curbs drunken antics

A ban on bar crawls, soliciting customers and large parties in the popular resort of Laganas on the island of Zakynthos has immeasurably improved life in the area, according to local authorities who have become accustomed over the years to scenes of drunken rampages by young tourists.

The restrictions came into force this summer after drinking binges at the resort, long favored by British tourists in particular due to its nonstop nightlife and cheap alcohol, fueled constant upheaval, sometimes leading young revelers to the hospital. The resort also suffered bad press as media reports would often be accompanied with photographs of young, drunken tourists passed out on roadsides.

After just a few months of the ban, things are already much better, Zakynthos Mayor Pavlos Kolokotsas told Kathimerini. “I am completely satisfied,” he said. “Violations have dropped significantly as have unsavory incidents from overdrinking.” Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis is seen speaking with his MPs in Parliament yesterday. Theodorakis repeated his belief that there needs to be a censure motion against Parliament Speaker Zoe Constantopoulou and suggested that this could be tabled in September. ‘She can’t go on usurping the government,’ said the centrist party leader.