Europe Tightens Tourist Rules to Curb Irresponsible Travel
Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and France require tourists to mind their behavior as the countries pursue a wider campaign by European authorities to tackle unsustainable travel habits that harm local communities and environments. As tourism grew so did administrative citations for public drinking, thong wearing off the beach and just plain bad behavior that disrupts both locals and the natural surroundings. Its actions are directed to promoting responsible travel, so that the economic benefits shared with local people and are not pushed past their ability level of safety being exceeded.
Tourists visiting Europe this summer are finding dramatically higher fines as the continent’s top tourist spots increasingly take a harder line on behavior that disrupts local life. From fines for wearing swimwear outside dedicated beach areas, to heavy penalties for public drinking, European cities are clamping down on behaviour that some see as unwanted or disrespectful tourism. Allegations include tourists who are fined over practices which until recently they would have considered perfectly non-malicious – such as putting towels on sunbeds and not turning up.
