Latest news with #SpanishTourismOffice
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Economic Times
Europe is getting tough on tourists with rules you can't ignore
Agencies Several European countries have introduced strict fines this year to curb unruly tourist behaviour, targeting actions ranging from public drinking to inappropriate clothing in towns. Authorities say the measures aim to protect residents and promote respectful travel, even if they risk upsetting some visitors. In Turkey's Antalya, unbuckling a seatbelt or leaving a seat before the plane has stopped taxiing now carries a €62 fine. Spain's Balearic Islands, including Mallorca and Ibiza, can impose penalties of up to €3,000 for public drinking. In Portugal's Albufeira, wearing swimwear away from the beach could cost up to €1,500, while Venice fines swimmers €350 for entering its canals. Rules to protect residents and responsible visitors Officials stress the rules are designed to safeguard communities and responsible holidaymakers. 'The rules, while they might sound rigid and punitive when listed out, are all about encouraging responsible and empathetic travelling,' Jessica Harvey Taylor, Head of Press at the Spanish Tourism Office in London, told the BBC. Local governments are also running awareness campaigns. Malaga's "Improve Your Stay" initiative sets out guidelines against littering, excessive noise and reckless e-scooter use, with fines of up to €750. In Albufeira, bans cover public nudity, urinating in public and abandoning shopping carts, with police visibly enforcing rules in nightlife areas. Fines range from flip-flops to seashells The list of offences is expanding. Driving in flip-flops in Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal can result in fines of up to €300, while taking a seashell from a Greek beach could cost €1,000. In France, smoking on certain public beaches carries a €90 penalty, and Italy's Cinque Terre can fine hikers up to €2,500 for wearing unsuitable footwear. Proponents argue the measures address growing frustrations among residents. 'We must act with two main ideas in mind: the protection and preservation of the environment; and ensuring that tourism is in harmony with our society,' Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià, Mallorca, told the BBC. While fines may deter some behaviour, experts say lasting change requires better education and shared expectations. 'Without better orientation, local governance and shared expectations, little will change. Destinations are homes, not playgrounds,' said responsible tourism advocate Birgitta Spee-König. It remains too early to assess the impact, but increased police presence and new surveillance in key tourist zones suggest authorities are serious about enforcement. For now, Europe's message to visitors is clear: enjoy the beaches, cities and landscapes, but do so respectfully. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Tariffs, tantrums, and tech: How Trump's trade drama is keeping Indian IT on tenterhooks Good, bad, ugly: How will higher ethanol in petrol play out for you? As big fat Indian wedding slims to budget, Manyavar loses lustre As 50% US tariff looms, 6 key steps that can safeguard Indian economy Stock Radar: JSPL forms Ascending Triangle pattern on weekly charts, could hit fresh 52-week high soon Nifty and business are different species: 5 small-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 30% F&O Radar | Deploy Bear Put Spread in Nifty to play index's negative stance amid volatility Wealth creation: Look beyond the obvious in some things; 10 fertilizer sector companies worth watching
Sky News AU
12-08-2025
- Sky News AU
European cities slap hefty fees on tourists - here's what it'll cost if you're caught wearing flip-flops
If you're vacationing in Europe this summer, better bring along extra cash. Popular tourist destinations in European cities are combating mass tourism by slapping some ridiculous, costly fines — some rising into the thousands — on visitors they deem unruly. Wearing flip-flops while driving, taking a shell or pebble from a beach and unbuckling your seatbelt before the plane stops taxiing can now cost you. Those who wear a bathing suit off the beach in the cities of Barcelona, Albufeira, Split, Sorrento, Cannes and Venice could face fines of up to $1,747, according to the BBC. In Mallorca, Ibiza, Magaluf and the Canary Islands, drinking alcohol on the street can set tourists back $3,495, and in Spain, leaving your towel to hold your pool chair for too long can cost $291. Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal are the countries cracking down on those sporting flip-flops behind the wheel — and doling out $349 tickets for the crime. Greece is punishing those who make off with a shell or pebble by making them shell out $1,165 — and if you swim in a canal in Venice, be prepared to cough up $407. 'Locals are fed up,' tourism advocate Birgitta Spee-König told the outlet. 'These fines are signals that communities want to reclaim space. It's not that tourists are worse — it's more that the tolerance has gone. And it's important to consider that not every fine is a crackdown: Some are calls for respect.' Cities are even going so far as to launch marketing campaigns that outline what's against the law. A brand new 10-point Improve Your Stay campaign was introduced on buses and billboards in Malaga, Spain. Its signage details what the area expects of its guests — that they dress in a tasteful manner and avoid littering, making excessive noise and riding scooters recklessly, or risk an $873 fine. Albufeira also plastered signs in public spaces, explaining the fines for things tourists cannot do in public, like perform sexual acts, urinate, cook or even camp. Authorities are defending the stringent rules — which are being implemented by patrolling police — by saying they were set to protect locals, as well as respectful tourists who want to enjoy their vacation. 'The rules, while they might sound rigid and punitive when listed out, are all about encouraging responsible and empathetic traveling,' Jessica Harvey Taylor, head of press at the Spanish Tourism Office in London, told BBC. 'They are designed to protect the holiday experiences of the vast majority of people who behave responsibly on holiday.' Juan Antonio Amengual, mayor of Calvià, Mallorca, echoed the sentiment in a speech earlier this year. 'We must act with two main ideas in mind: the protection and preservation of the environment; and ensuring that tourism is in harmony with our society. 'Tourism cannot be a burden on citizens.' Originally published as European cities slap hefty fees on tourists - here's what it'll cost if you're caught wearing flip-flops
Ya Biladi
22-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Alhambra, Flamenco, and Sierra Nevada : Granada promotes itself in Rabat
On May 21, the Spanish Tourism Office, in partnership with the Provincial Council of Granada, hosted the event «Granada, the Alhambra Is Just the Beginning» at the Residence of the Spanish Ambassador in Rabat. The event aimed to showcase the diverse tourism offerings of this Andalusian province beyond its iconic landmark. The evening was attended by Ambassador Enrique Ojeda Vila, Francis Rodríguez, President of the Provincial Council of Granada, Moroccan government officials, ambassadors, tourism professionals, and journalists. In his speech, Ambassador Ojeda Vila emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties between Morocco and Andalusia, highlighting the region's warm hospitality, rich attractions, and close proximity. A screening of the documentary «Alhambra, the Treasure of the Last Andalusian Emirate», co-produced by RTVE and ARTE and awarded in Rabat, featured new research and digital reconstructions that offer fresh perspectives on the Alhambra. Additionally, Paolo Pinamonti, director of the 74th Granada Music and Dance Festival (June 19 – July 13, 2025), and Jesús Ibáñez, who presented updates on the Sierra Nevada ski resort, were part of the event. The evening was hosted by tourism advisor María José Gómez, who noted that in 2024, 767,000 Moroccans visited Spain, with Andalusia attracting 42% of these visitors, followed by Madrid (24%) and Catalonia (11%). The following day in Casablanca, a professional meeting will bring together over a dozen tourism companies accompanying the Granada delegation—including Barceló, El Corte Inglés, and various agencies—with more than forty Moroccan buyers.
