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Spanish resort withdraws support for event popular with British students Spanish resort withdraws support for event popular with British students
(about 7 hours later)
The city authorities in Salou, a resort town on Spain’s Costa Dorada, are withdrawing their support for the annual Saloufest, when around 10,000 British university students descend on the town every Easter for a fortnight of drunken partying.The city authorities in Salou, a resort town on Spain’s Costa Dorada, are withdrawing their support for the annual Saloufest, when around 10,000 British university students descend on the town every Easter for a fortnight of drunken partying.
After backing the event for the past five years, the town has decided the financial returns do not justify the harm the revelry does to the image of the resort, which is close to the popular Port Aventura amusement park. In a communiqué the town council complained that hotels involved were damaging Salou’s image and insisted they stop using the resort’s name in their promotions. After backing the event for the past five years, the town has decided the financial returns do not justify the harm the revelry does to the image of the resort, which is close to the popular Port Aventura amusement park. In a communique the town council complained that hotels involved were damaging Salou’s image and insisted they stop using the resort’s name in their promotions.
Unpack your bits, perk yourself up with a cheeky shower and then get ready to hit it hard!Unpack your bits, perk yourself up with a cheeky shower and then get ready to hit it hard!
The Saloufest is 15 years old but since 2010 the city has given its blessing to I Love Tour, a British company that promotes the event as a “sex and alcohol” summit. Students arrive after a 24-hour bus journey when the website advises them to “unpack your bits, perk yourself up with a cheeky shower and then get ready to hit it hard! Your first night is always a big one.” The Saloufest is 15 years old, but since 2010 the city has given its blessing to I Love Tour, a British company that promotes the event as a “sex and alcohol” summit. Students arrive after a 24-hour bus journey when the website advises them to “unpack your bits, perk yourself up with a cheeky shower and then get ready to hit it hard! Your first night is always a big one.”
The first group of 4,300 students arrived on Thursday, paying €330 (£241) for an all-inclusive trip. A similar number are due on Tuesday, and residents will be gritting their teeth and holding their noses until it all ends on 18 April.The first group of 4,300 students arrived on Thursday, paying €330 (£241) for an all-inclusive trip. A similar number are due on Tuesday, and residents will be gritting their teeth and holding their noses until it all ends on 18 April.
In spite of the spectacle of semi-naked drunks urinating in the streets, Pere Granados, the town’s mayor, has until now defended the event, pointing out that it brings €5m to the resort.In spite of the spectacle of semi-naked drunks urinating in the streets, Pere Granados, the town’s mayor, has until now defended the event, pointing out that it brings €5m to the resort.
In 2013 a drunken student suffered severe injuries after he tried to climb up to his room after losing his key.In 2013 a drunken student suffered severe injuries after he tried to climb up to his room after losing his key.
The event is billed as a sports festival. Last week, the authorities in the neighbouring town of Reus refused Saloufest permission to use its sports facilities, complaining that festival-goers merely used the football pitch to drink and run around naked.The event is billed as a sports festival. Last week, the authorities in the neighbouring town of Reus refused Saloufest permission to use its sports facilities, complaining that festival-goers merely used the football pitch to drink and run around naked.