Popular EU Destinations Are Getting Tough On Misbehaving Travelers

After more than two years of the pandemic, travelers are back in a big way, despite flight cancelations and other problems. However, even though popular European destinations need revenue from tourism, some parts have had enough of bad behavior on the part of their visitors. What started in Italy, is now spreading to Spain, with fines levied for badly behaved visitors.

Italy clamps down on bad behavior by travelers

As reported in July, some parts of Italy are taking action against what they term bad behavior and unsuitable clothing. The mayor of Sorrento signed an ordinance prohibiting people from walking the streets in public in revealing swimwear, or bare-chested. Now other popular tourist destinations are speaking up. They are launching new ordinances targeting what locals consider to be tourists’ bad behavior and inappropriate dress

These new ordinances are prompting renewed discussions among travel industry professionals. They are speaking up about responsible tourism and what it means to be a “good tourist.” Bear in mind, that they aren’t treating travelers like bad children. The locations want to offer a good tourism experience for everyone, including those who live there all year round.

In Sorrento’s case, wearing bikinis and being bare-chested is fine while sunbathing at the beach. However, this is not the case when walking the streets of the city and it could see offenders heavily fined. In fact, Mayor Coppola signed the ordinance on July 6, with fines as high as 500 euros ($511)

In a Facebook post, the mayor wrote:

No more indecent behavior. Sorrento is increasingly recognized in the world as the capital of tourism and high-quality hospitality, and these behaviors can cause an element of discomfort for Sorrento and for residents and tourists.

Venice charges daytrippers to enter

Meanwhile, Venice is also making major changes relating to travelers. The city has already banned large cruise ships from mooring in the lagoon. However, while no mention of bad behavior was mentioned, the city is currently fighting overtourism. Basically, too many visitors can cause damage to infrastructure and make the Venice experience less than good. From next year, daytrippers will need a 10 euro ticket to enter the city, in what Venice hopes will make a difference.

Spain fighting ‘antisocial’ behavior from travelers

The Balearic Islands of Spain are also having problems with unruly tourists, particularly in the popular town of Playa de Palma. Here in June, 11 restaurants imposed a strict dress code, banning customers from wearing football jerseys, or going shirtless.

Meanwhile, Palma Beach, the hotel and restaurant association in Playa de Palma, has been openly vocal about the drunken behavior of visitors.

Banning ‘tourism of excesses’

As noted by Travel Weekly, back in 2020, the government of the Balearic Islands passed a decree banning what it terms “tourism of excesses.” Among the behaviors that are prohibited is taking drinks outside of hotels and bars.

Probably the most important ban is against what is termed “balconing” where tourists jump from their balcony into the swimming pool. Visitors have also been known to climb from one balcony to the next, often with fatal consequences.

Promoting sustainable tourism

Meanwhile, Barcelona is teaming up with Amsterdam in the Netherlands in an effort to promote sustainable tourism. Both locations are fighting against illegal tourist accommodations and to lessen overcrowding in the cities.

On the Costa del Sol in southern Spain, many visitors take full advantage of the cheaper liquor and get over-rowdy. When they are asked whether they do this at home, they mostly get a shrug of the shoulders. It seems that visitors just don’t care.

Why are they acting now?

In the two years of the pandemic, locations didn’t have the problem of being overrun by visitors and bad behavior. Now they are back in full force, bad behavior and clothing (or lack thereof) are that much more noticeable.

Probably the best idea is for travelers to behave as they would back home. Should they dress and act accordingly, locals will have no problem welcoming visitors to their cities.