ADVERTISEMENTCroatia is the latest country to join the Europe-wide pushback against unruly tourists.
The island of Hvar, known as a popular nightlife spot, is now taking steps to curb the antisocial behaviour that comes with its reputation.
In a bid to move away from party tourism, Hvar (the town which shares a name with the island) has voted to maintain noise restrictions for the summer, which will have a significant impact on clubs, discos and outdoor venues.
There are also several tourist regulations on clothing and behaviour that visitors should be aware of if they don’t want to receive a fine.
Hvar is rebranding itself as a family-friendly destination
Last week, Hvar town councillors voted to maintain restrictions during the summer that limit noise to 85 decibels.
Given this is equivalent to a noisy restaurant, it will mean significant changes for the island’s popular outdoor clubs that open during peak season - as well as restaurants that host outdoor weddings.
The decision reportedly received pushback from restaurants, bars and other businesses. It was met with lobbying from the hospitality sector, which proposed instead to bypass noise rules by declaring the entire island a year-round entertainment zone, local news site CroatiaWeek reports.
“I think this is a disaster. We have always supported stricter rules and better monitoring, but now we are going from one extreme to another. This is not the right approach,” Vicko Visković from the hospitality association Dictum Factum told Croatian news site Dnevnik.hr.
But local authorities want to signal a shift towards a more family-friendly and sustainable tourism model.
"In previous years, open-air clubs in Hvar and Split may have encouraged excessive partying among guests and contributed to a 'party destination' image in Croatian tourism,” says Darijo Šarić, CEO of luxury villa rental site VIP Holiday Booker.
“However, Croatia has increasingly built a reputation for being a family-friendly destination, offering cultural richness, natural beauty, and a relaxed atmosphere.”
Tourists can be fined up to €700 on the spot for these offences in Croatia
The restrictions come amid a wider push for quality tourism across Croatia that benefits local residents.
In many town centres, including Split and Dubrovnik, you can get on-the-spot fines of up to €700 for behaviour deemed inappropriate. This includes drinking alcohol or using drugs in public spaces, urinating or vomiting in public spaces, and walking through towns shirtless or in swimwear.
You can also be fined up to €4,000 for public order disturbances, including fighting, verbal abuse such as shouting or arguing, and drunken behaviour.
Removing noble pen shells - a critically endangered species that plays a key role in the Mediterranean ecosystem - from Croatia’s beaches comes with a €67 fine per shell.
ADVERTISEMENT“These fines are intended more to deter bad behaviour rather than to punish anyone,” Šarić says. “Ultimately, it is about being responsible, ensuring Croatia remains a cherished, safe, and welcoming destination for everyone."