In a move to deal with unruly tourists, the Croatian island of Hvar has decided to implement noise restrictions, clothing prescriptions, and other tourist regulations. Holidaymakers will feel the impact of the new rules from this summer.
Hvar – located in the Adriatic Sea, about an hour-long ferry ride from Split – is known among tourists as a ‘party island’ and a popular nightlife destination. During the high season, it welcomes up to 20,000 tourists daily. However, residents have grown frustrated with disruptive visitors and the disturbances they cause. As a result, the town has voted to introduce a new set of summer rules.
These include an 85-decibel noise restriction – roughly the volume of a noisy restaurant. The decision will directly affect many clubs, discos, and outdoor venues on the island. Fines are set at €1,320 for legal businesses and €300 for individuals.
The hospitality sector immediately attempted to overturn the decision by lobbying for the island to be designated a year-round entertainment zone, according to local news site CroatiaWeek.
“Hotels, local apartment owners, bars, restaurants, taxi drivers, boat operators, and many others rely heavily on the vibrant atmosphere that Hvar has cultivated over decades. Curtailing this energy jeopardises their livelihoods and, inevitably, the overall wellbeing of the local community. Many of these are small, independent businesses that simply don’t have the resources to absorb such a drastic shift. For them, this decision could prove financially unsustainable”, Ivan Curkovic, owner of beach club Carpe Diem, tells Metro UK.
However, local authorities and those supporting a less nightlife-oriented type of tourism are standing by the decision, hoping to promote a family-friendly and sustainable tourism model.
Tourism measures in Croatia
Hvar’s decision to step up against unruly tourists isn’t an isolated one. Across Croatia, authorities are pushing for a more qualitative kind of tourism, benefiting local residents.
Towns such as Split and Dubrovnik have issued fines of up to €700 for “inappropriate behaviour”, which may include drinking alcohol or using drugs in public spaces, urinating or vomiting in public, and walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear.
Public order offences fall under another category and can result in fines of up to €4,000. Fighting, verbal abuse, and drunken behaviour are included in this group. Removing a noble pen shell – a protected endemic clam – from the sea or beach will incur a fine of €67 per item.
“These fines are intended more to deter bad behaviour rather than to punish anyone. Ultimately, it is about being responsible, ensuring Croatia remains a cherished, safe, and welcoming destination for everyone”, Darijo Šarić, CEO of luxury villa rental site VIP Holiday Booker, told Euronews.
