As discussions about Hvar’s controversial signs to threaten fines for inappropriate dress and behaviour in its historic centre on July 16, 2017.
An interesting campaign seems to have been started in Venice by the local authorities, in an effort to maintain standards of behaviour in the historic tourist town, and there are echoes of the signs recently installed my Hvar Town Mayor Riki Novak with the same intention.
There is even a detailed explanation of what is, and what is not expected and permitted on the official Venice page, which you can read here, as well as an official hashtag #EnjoyRespectVenezia.
There seem to be a few similarities with the recent Hvar initiative, and the difference in level of media interest is quite interesting.
Venice even has a little YouTube action to promote the campaign.
Dubrovnik also imposed a dress code last year, as we previously reported. Curious as to what fines, if any, were in place in other leading European destinations, I turned to our old friend Mr. Google for some clues. Here is what I found:
1. Venice has been working on this aspect of its tourism for at least ten years, according to a 2007 Reuters report:
If situations get tricky, the women who work for a municipal agency and who have been nicknamed “guardians of the square” — call for back-up from police who can hand out fines ranging from 25 euros ($34) to 500 euros.
In early August, more than 100 tourists were given 25 euro fines, according to news agency ANSA.
2. Rome 2012, not a place for street foodies, according to The New York Times:
The measure outlaws eating and drinking in areas of “particular historic, artistic, architectonic and cultural value” in Rome’s center, to better protect the city’s monuments, which include landmarks like the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. Fines range all the way up to $650 for culinary recidivists.
3. Rome 2017, be careful with those fountains,
Roman authorities are now authorized to levy a hefty fine against anyone who wades, bathes, or swims in the Trevi Fountain, the 18th-century fountain decorated by artists from the Bernini school, or other historical waterworks. The new schedule of fines starts at 40 euros (about $45) and can go as high as 240 euros (about $270) for the worst offenses. The fines will remain in place from now through October 31—high season for tourists to the Eternal City.
Aimed at shielding a number of Roman fountains from damages caused by visitors’ bad behavior, the new regulations include tourist hotspots such as the Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Piazza Barberini and Piazza del Popolo. The rules also ban eating and drinking on the fountains’ edges, climbing on them, allowing pets to drink from them and throwing anything into them beyond coins.
4. From Tuscany to Sardinia, beach fines for those who plan to get the best spots on the beach, according to The Guardian:
Authorities from the coasts of Tuscany to Sardinia are cracking down on holidaymakers who seek to reserve prime beach territory by leaving their gear out overnight, with those responsible facing fines of €200 (£170).
