UK holidaymakers could face fines of up to £230 if they use a wheelie suitcase in a popular European city this summer. A new rule banning suitcases on wheels is being introduced in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors descend upon the historic city each year which is great for the hospitality industry. However, it’s not good news for those who are annoyed by the sound of wheelie suitcases being dragged along cobbled streets, The Mirror reports.
Under a new law suitcases must be carried instead of being dragged through the streets of the town. Those who are caught rolling their luggage could be fined up to £230.
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The anti-bag legislation will become even stricter in November, when all suitcases and bags will have to be left at the walls of the old town before visitors can enter. Those laden with things who wish to enter the section of Dubrovnik will have to pay a courier to have their bags delivered to their accommodation by electric vehicle.
The laws have been passed by Dubrovnik mayor Mato Franković, who is attempting to lessen the impact of over tourism on the town. Each year 1.5million people visit the city, which is almost 40 times the 41,000 people who live there full time.
As well as bans on wheelie suitcases, another noise-reducing measure just introduced will see cafes and bars with terraces where the noise level exceeds 55 decibels face fines and be forced to close for seven days. A video urging tourists to “respect the city,” will be shown on cruise ships docking at Dubrovnik and on Croatian Airline flights arriving in the country, Lonely Planet reports.
Walking around shirtless, riding bikes or e-scooters in the city centre, and climbing on statues are all behaviours that will be discouraged in the public announcement. The city is currently trying to keep its world-heritage status six years after UNESCO warned disrespectful hordes were ruining the city.
In a bid to make Dubrovnik more sustainable, the number of tour buses and cruise ships docking in the port have been limited. Despite this, the reputation of the city has only grown, capturing large numbers of the post-coronavirus-lockdown crowd looking to visit new place now that travel restrictions have been lifted.
Mayor Franković, who is trying to get the still rising tourist numbers to fall, said: “The most important thing is that Dubrovnik has stopped being a city of excessive tourism, although we still have a lot of work left.”
