Residents of Split want to change the image of their city as a party place, replacing noisy and inconsiderate tourists with educated families.
Split has been known as an endless party destination for many years. But residents are fed up with drunken tourists flocking to the Croatian seaside town to attend music festivals Ultra EuropeanThe most important in Croatia.
And also impossible rents for neighbors
This is not the only way to influence the Croatian economy. Short-term visitors who stay only a few weeks, at most a few months rents In Split it currently costs between 700 and 800 euros on average. Considering that the average monthly salary is around 1,000 euros, this puts those living there in trouble.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to find a home, start a life or have a family,” says Vana. HEshort term rental He adds that it provides extra income in the winter, but “it can be very expensive” in the summer.
The city also had to beef up its security and police presence to “monitor”. antisocial behavior “Like drinking, urinating, or shirtless people in public places.”
We don’t want to be known as a party destination
image hedonist Split is not only an economic burden but also erodes the city’s identity.
“Divide Luce, another tour operator, agrees: “It’s changed a lot in the last 10 years.” “There were a lot more local cafes and restaurants on the sidewalk. Now everything is Italian, burgers, etc.” Croatians are better at Croatian food“.
“There were small independent shops in the area of Diocletian’s Palace; now these are mostly flats rented to tourists or for short stays,” he adds.
Good comes with evil
“Tourism Divide “From one perspective it’s very good, especially in terms of the old town and Diocletian’s Palace, which is 95% renovated, so it’s quite new now,” he says. Ivanaa pension’s receptionist. However, tourism professionals are also aware that good comes with bad. “But, “The worst part is that the people who lived in the old apartments in the Old City don’t live there anymore.”.
Verónica attributes this change to the influx of “young tourists who are all coming here.”music festivals“, Which Shuns out neighbors and raises prices. “Locals don’t really like the city center because it’s crowded and very expensive. We’re spread all over Split, away from the centre,” he explains.
It wasn’t always like this, remember. “There used to be much more friendly and polite tourists with their families; We love them, we don’t have such a problem with tourists.” However, they were nowhere to be seen this summer. While apartments, hostels and motels were full, “Hotels were a little more empty, because there were fewer class tourists.” explains Veronica.
Almost complete dependence on tourism
Whatever the behavior of tourists, it is undeniable that Split depends on them.
“We are almost completely dependent on tourismThis is not very good, but that is the situation,” explains a local trader.Euronews Travel‘. “There are some problems in Eskişehir. There are either a lot of people in summer or no people in winter.There’s not much middle ground.”
Many venues derive most of their annual income from heavy traffic summer seasonThis helps them cope with the quieter months of the year winter when there is less work and almost no tourists.
Hotels, bars and restaurants are fascinated
“We sell them expensive boat trips“At what price will they be able to purchase their flight tickets and accommodation?” Kristinaanother employee of a cruise line.
“Even though the city wants to reduce tourism, there is a lot of support from bars and restaurants,” he adds. Veronica.
ADVERT“So the difference is, in some cases you win something, in other cases you lose something,” he says Ivana. “We don’t think alike” Spain or other countries, because tourism in Split started only 16 years ago. For this reason we love tourists here“.
What is Split doing to make tourism more sustainable?
In tourist areas of Spain, local authorities resort to the following methods: Extreme measures to prevent overtourismLike the increase in tourism taxes and the promise to ban short-term apartment rentals to tourists. barcelona.
closer to home, Dubrovnik also limited the number of tourists to 4,000 per day. installed more security cameras throughout the city and staggered the arrival and departure times of cruise ships.
How many tourists can fit in Spilt?
Aware of the increasing tensionthe Split Tourism Office, the second city of Croatia, is planning a comprehensive ‘Examining the city’s tourist reception capacity‘.
ADVERTIt was examined whether it was sufficient to meet local infrastructure and housing needs. 900,000 tourists come to the city every year.
After discovering this overtourism Since the crowding was more noticeable in the city center, authorities began to take precautions. It regulates the number and type of accommodation options based on load capacity calculations.
More police to protect citizens
They also hired more security services and council officers to stop antisocial behavior such as: noisy excessive alcohol consumption on public roads and urinating on the streetsespecially in the old city.
Hoteliers were encouraged to join these efforts by establishing clearer standards and expectations for hospitality. Guest behavior, especially when it comes to younger tourist groups.
ADVERTOther initiatives include the “Respect and Enjoy” campaign, which helps hotels, agencies and tour operators promote.responsible tourism.
Tourism can also be done in winter
It also includes measures to attract tourists outside of peak months. SummerThis is a significant change for local residents like Veronica, whose income is limited due to the seasonality of tourism in Split.
“We are committed to finding the right balance between supporting an industry.” type prosperous and “Protecting the quality of life of Split residents”Split Tourism Office says:Euronews Travel‘.
“Our aim is to guarantee the social, ecological and economic development of tourism” sustainable“We place a strong emphasis on improving the quality of life of our residents.”
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