Tourists visiting Croatia are being warned they could be fined hundreds of pounds if they fall foul of a new law. Wheelie suitcases have been banned in the popular city of Dubrovnik, visited by thousands of Brits every year.
The new law states suitcases must be carried and not dragged through the city's streets, with fines of £230 for those caught flouting the rule, Chronicle Live reports. The legislation is due to become more severe in November, when all suitcases and bags will have to be left at the walls of the old town before visitors can enter.
People with luggage 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, reports The Mirror.
Each year 1.5 million people visit the city, which is almost 40 times the 41,000 people who live there full time. Another additional 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-Covid lockdown crowd looking to visit new places now that travel restrictions have been lifted.
Mayor Franković 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.” This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the city's biggest highlights thanks to its eye-catching architecture, picturesque cobbled streets and beautiful Baroque churches.
