The Czech capital (Prague) has approved a ban on popular late-night bar tours, an activity that, although it has generated revenue for the bars, has caused annoyance to residents and authorities alike.
These tours, in which groups of rowdy tourists move from bar to bar in Prague’s historic center, attracted more than 7 million visitors last year. However, they also generated late-night noise and litter on the streets, becoming one of the negative effects of over-tourism in Europe.
After years of trying to manage the disorder caused by these groups of drunken tourists, Prague finally decided to implement the measure, which will come into force in November. Adam Zabranský, a member of the city council and author of the approved proposal, explained that the aim of the measure is not to prevent people from enjoying a drink, but to address the problems of noise, safety and the city’s reputation. “We don’t want to support the cheap ‘alco-tourism’ that is still common in Prague,” commented Zabranský.
The ban will be enforced by local police between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and tour organizers who violate it face fines of up to 100,000 Czech crowns (about $4,300). The drastic measure comes after several failed attempts to solve the problem, such as the appointment of a night mayor in 2019, whose job was to minimize the impact of nightlife on residents.
Zabranský added that it would be ideal for bar owners to assume their share of responsibility, as currently it is the residents of the busiest areas who suffer the negative consequences, while the bars participating in the tours benefit financially without worrying about the problems they cause.
This initiative is part of a long-term strategy to promote cultural tourism and attract tourists to stay longer in the city, rather than just for the weekend. “People who come to experience the culture behave differently than those who come just to drink for the whole weekend,” said Zabranský.
Some tour organizers, such as the Drunken Monkey agency, have called the move a “populist decision,” arguing that the guides are charged with helping the city and police maintain order. However, the city insists that this measure seeks to promote more responsible and culturally enriching tourism.
Despite the ban, tourists will not be prevented from enjoying the famous Czech beer, as the country has enormous potential in beer tourism. “Beer tourism in the Czech Republic has great potential, thanks to its long brewing tradition and current trends in experiential and sustainable tourism,” said František Reismüller, head of the Czech tourism authority.
