Consumer organization denounces PortAventura for banning outside food and drinks

Facua, Spain's largest consumer organization, has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs against PortAventura, Catalonia's largest amusement park, for prohibiting guests from bringing food and drinks from outside onto the premises.

The organization filed complaints with Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs against the Catalan park, as well as Isla Mágica in Seville, Parque Warner in Madrid, and Terra Mítica in Benidorm.

The organization claims that these parks are "forcing" customers to purchase food and beverages inside the parks at much higher prices, which they argue violates Spanish legislation. They also claim that it is an "indirect imposition" on customers, who are permitted to eat and drink inside the park but cannot bring food in from outside.

Facua claims that these practices "do not happen" at other European amusement parks, such as Disneyland Paris in France or Europa-Park in Germany.

A statement shared by Facua reads: "In all of them, customers can bring in food and drinks." 

Although PortAventura does not explain why there is a ban on outside food and drinks, Facua claims that Parque Warner cites "hygiene and security reasons," which the consumer organization deems "unjustified."

Facua claims that the ban "does not follow any plan to preserve security or hygiene, nor does it serve any other justified purpose; it is exclusively a financial practice aimed at generating higher profits."

Facua compares the situation in amusement parks, such as PortAventura in Salou, in southern Catalonia, to that seen in cinemas in the past. Facua cites a 2001 ruling from Spain's Castilla-La Mancha High Court concerning the prohibition of outside food and drinks at cinemas.

The court ruled that banning outside food and drink caused "clear damage" and affected the rules of goodwill and free competition.