Europe’s Tourist Hotspots Implement Curbs and Get Strict About Visitors
Popular tourist destinations in Europe, such as Amsterdam and Venice, which will implement new regulations on Thursday, are fighting to manage an increase in the number of visitors.
Venice
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, Venice had 3.2 million overnight stays in its historic center in 2022, much more than the 50,000 locals.
It will begin charging day visitors for admission on Thursday. It will cost five euros ($5.3) for day visitors to purchase a ticket, which will be checked by inspectors at strategic locations across the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Due to worries about the massive cruise ships’ negative environmental effects on the city, it prohibited large cruise ships from the Venice lagoon in 2021.
Additionally, Venice has imposed an overnight tourist charge.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has been working hard to shed its image of wild bachelor parties, drug use, and prostitution—a reputation that has been partially attributed to the city’s annual flood of some 20 million tourists.
In keeping with traditional Dutch frankness, it started an internet campaign in 2023 to warn young British males against coming to Amsterdam to be wasted or stoned and advise them to “stay away” or face jail.
In addition, Amsterdam said last week that it will limit new hotel construction and cut the number of river cruise ships operating in the city in half within five years.
Additionally, it made the decision to outlaw cannabis smoking on the red-light district’s streets last year.
The Dubrovnik
One of the most congested towns in Europe is Dubrovnik, the walled medieval city of Croatia, where the volume of visitors sometimes makes it difficult to go around the ancient Old Town.
Since “Game of Thrones” scenes were shot on its walls in 2011, the gem of the Adriatic has seen a massive increase in tourists.
The 41,000-person town had 1.2 million visitors in 2023, less below the high of 1.4 million in 2019.
The number of cruise ship arrivals in 2019 was restricted by local officials to two per day, with a maximum of 4,000 guests on board at a time.
They also released an app that estimates when the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be busiest based on weather predictions and machine learning.
Barcelona
Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona serves as the capital of Catalonia and is home to renowned Gaudi architectural masterpieces as well as one of Spain’s best football teams.
When she was mayor of the city from June 2023 until June 2015, Ada Colau, a socialist former housing rights campaigner, took tough measures against unauthorized Airbnb rentals, which she said were driving residents out of the real estate market.
Additionally, the city restricted tour groups’ access to the famed La Boqueria market, particularly during prime shopping hours.
Additionally, organized groups within the center are restricted to no more than 20 participants, and guides are not permitted to use loudspeakers.
According to the City Council, the number of tourists checking into hotels, residences, and hostels in 2023 decreased by 6.9% when compared to 2019 data.
