① Pollution Prevention Act, Up to $35,000 Fine
European countries are grappling with over-tourism. The influx of tourists to Europe has increased beyond capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Major European cities have taken action to prevent disruption to residents’ lives due to the surge in tourists.
Among them, the Spanish city of Alicante has attracted attention by implementing a ‘Pollution Prevention Act.’ Alicante is a Spanish holiday destination more than 3 million tourists visit annually. The city has been implementing the Pollution Prevention Act since March 2019. The city council has announced plans to expand the scope of the Act’s application in everyday life. The discussion on the law amendment began when the residents’ group of Alicante suggested that the city is too noisy due to tourists.
Consequently, tourists who break the Pollution Prevention Act face fines ranging from 600 euros to 30,000 euros, approximately $700 to $35,000. Playing loud music on the beach or causing a stir at home qualifies as noise pollution in Alicante. They have also regulated noise produced in public buildings and noise caused by construction on public roads and construction sites.
The Pollution Prevention Act prohibits restaurants from allowing the noise of furniture scraping the floor. Restaurants must attach noise-preventing covers to the legs of tables and chairs. If a restaurant violates this law, it might have to close earlier, and cultural performances might have to end sooner. The city council also plans to create a law to regulate noise caused by garbage trucks, pets, and farm animals.
The spokesperson for the Alicante city council said, “The new ordinance will transparently disclose warnings about noise regulation in new areas, and a public web platform that provides a comprehensive view of information related to the Pollution Prevention Act will be provided to citizens.”
He continued, “The area of noise pollution has expanded, but we plan to apply it considering the situation of each local community.”
② Starting to Impose Fines on Tourists
In addition to Alicante, Spain, other European destinations impose fines on tourists. Portofino, Italy, has announced it will impose penalties for taking selfies as the influx of tourists taking pictures has increased. As tourists linger in one place to take pictures, the movement of residents became inconvenient, and the dissatisfaction of locals increased.
As a result, the authorities designated the most photographed places by tourists as ‘red zones’ and set a maximum fine of 276 euros (about $320) for taking selfies in these areas. This law applies every day from morning to 6 p.m. until October 15. If you are caught taking pictures in the red zone, the police will impose a fine.
When the system of imposing fines for taking selfies became known, people reacted with comments such as “Let’s not go if they tell us not to come” and “They should block the passage. Imposing a fine?” “They blame tourists after eating everything, and problems arise,” “Anything in excess is poison,” etc.
In Dubrovnik, Croatia, if you are caught dragging a rolling suitcase on the streets of the old town, you will be fined about $340. This law was passed as noise pollution due to suitcase wheels became severe with the influx of many tourists.
Dubrovnik announced plans to completely ban suitcases from the streets of the old town in November. If you need to transport a suitcase, you must use a service that delivers luggage from an electric car to your accommodation.
Currently, Dubrovnik regulates that the noise level of restaurant terraces cannot exceed 55 decibels. If this is violated, the restaurant must pay a fine and close for 7 days.
③ Europe Taking Measures Against Over-tourism
As such, European countries are implementing various measures to limit tourists. Not only are they imposing fines, but they are also continuously introducing measures to limit tourists.
France has limited the daily number of visitors to the Louvre Museum in Paris to 30,000. The Calanques National Park in Marseille has drastically reduced the number of daily visitors from 2,500 to 400. Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy has temporarily suspended bus services, the only means of transportation, to limit tourists.
The Pantheon in Rome, Italy, and Eizeltbalt in Switzerland have started charging admission and passage fees. In addition, various measures are being introduced in multiple European countries to control the influx of tourists.
By. Kim Minjae (minjaaie33@mememedia.co.kr)
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