A popular Croatian tourist hotspot, Hvar, is introducing a new measure to clamp down on unruly tourists and antisocial behaviour. This is ahead of the upcoming summer season.
According to an article by the UK publication The Sun (https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/34062005/european-party-island-new-tourist-measures-summer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), the Dalmatian island of Hvar is a well-known party destination. Open-air clubs, beach parties, and pub crawls attract revellers from across Europe.
The popular southern Croatian island is attempting to move away from party tourism. A group of conservative councillors voted to introduce noise restrictions in the town of Hvar. They aim to have these restrictions in place in time for the upcoming summer season.
Down with the Decibels
Noise in the party town will be limited to 85 decibels. This is the equivalent of a food blender, a noisy restaurant or a night out at the cinema.
This would mean significant changes for its popular outdoor clubs that open during the summer holidays.
According to The Sun, Brits hoping to book a party holiday on the island this summer will now need to check whether beach clubs and parties will continue. This is due to the new restrictions.
Other details, such as fines for those floating the ban, have yet to be revealed.
The new measure has been met with fierce backlash by the hospitality sector. Lobbying groups are trying to declare the island a “year-round entertainment zone”.
“I think this is a disaster,” Vicko Visković, a member of the hospitality association Dictum Factum, told a local news outlet.
“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.”
OzCro drummer agrees with noise ban
A well known Sydney based Australian Croatian drummer, despite being very familiar with loud music, tends to agree with Visković.
“If I was in my 20’s, yep I’d say crank it up… let’s party on!” exclaimed Mile Abramović. He is currently a member of well-known Sydney pub rock cover band, The Mandrillos.
“But as I am now in my 50’s, I think the location, its surrounds and historic relevance need to be respected,” added Abramović. He is a well-known figure in the Harbour City’s Croatian community.
“I think it ought to be a case of party in the city, but ‘chillax’ on the islands!” concluded the well-known percussionist.
Elsewhere on the Croatian coast, tourists can be fined up to €700 (£585) on the spot in Split and Dubrovnik for inappropriate behaviour.
This includes using drugs and drinking alcohol in public spaces, vomiting in public and walking around in swimwear.
Holidaymakers can also be fined for removing shells from beaches in Croatia.
