Hallstatt in Austria imposes restrictions on photography at popular tourist spots.
According to media outlets such as Express, tourists visiting Hallstatt could face fines of up to 275 euros (about $300) if caught obstructing traffic to take pictures at popular attractions.
Hallstatt is a small village with a population of about 700 residents. However, thousands of visitors flood the village daily, causing significant disturbance to the residents. To reduce the number of tourists and protect the village’s culture and natural heritage, various measures, including restrictions on photography, are being introduced.
Fences or barriers are being erected to prevent access to certain areas that cause disturbance to the residents. Warning signs have been installed throughout the village, and security personnel have been hired.
Alexander Scheutz, the mayor of Hallstatt, stated, “We appreciate the love for our village, but the enormous number of visitors is ruining the essence of Hallstatt.” He added, “We have decided to take these measures to protect the homes and lifestyle of the village residents.”
The number of cases of damage caused by taking pictures at tourist spots has recently increased. Some tourist sites have implemented regulations on photography in response. For instance, at the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, taking selfies is banned on the escalators of the subway station leading up to the cathedral for safety reasons. The village of Verónica in Spain is also considering closing down due to tourists trespassing on private property to take pictures.
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