British holiday hotspot introduces guidance asking visitors to avoid wheeled suitcases to reduce noise pollution

Woman wheeling a suitcase

Britons who are jetting off to Croatia are being warned about new guidance which asks visitors to avoid using wheeled suitcase in the southern city of Dubrovnik

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Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 05/07/2023

- 11:47

Updated: 07/07/2023

- 13:36

The move encourages holidaymakers to be 'mindful' about residents

Britons who are jetting off to Croatia are being warned about a new guidance asking visitors to avoid using wheeled suitcase in the southern city of Dubrovnik.

Officials have shared advice about how to be "mindful" when exploring the historic centre in a bid to reduce noise pollution.


The recommendation will come into effect this summer in Dubrovnik's historic centre which is bordered by buildings dating back hundreds of years.

The decision was taken following a large number of complaints from residents in the city.

Dubrovnik

The decision was taken following a large number of complaints from residents in the city

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Locals are said to be fed up the noise produced by wheeled suitcases on roads and pavements.

Visitors are advised to carry their suitcases across the city's streets.

However, the city administration of Dubrovnik has not implemented any penalties regarding the use of suitcases in the historic centre.

A video, released last month, aimed to showcase the kind of behaviour the city would prefer not to see from tourists.

The new guidance means suitcases should be carried and not dragged through the streets of the town.

Another noise-reduction measure which has been introduced in Croatia sees cafes and bars with terraces fined and shut down for seven days if the noise level exceeds 55 decibels.

Other rules prohibit people from walking around the historic centre "in a bathing suit, underwear or no clothes in a public space", and applies to both tourists and locals.

The restrictions hope to "bring order to the city", with fines of up to £128 for rule-breakers.

The new guidance means suitcases should be carried and not dragged through the streets of the town

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A spokesperson for Croatian National Tourist Office said: "The intention of the City of Dubrovnik has been not to impose sanctions but to provide quality information to visitors about the kind of behaviour that is beneficial to both tourists and locals alike.

"Through the 'Respect the City' project it promotes sustainable tourism with city residents front of mind. The City believes that when its residents are happy and satisfied, visitors will also be even more content, leading to an even better experience."

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays.

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