Prague is looking to crack down on ‘alco-tourism’ by introducing a new raft of measures to restore its image as a capital of culture.
After years of party-goers turning it into a mecca for cheap booze and stag-dos, city authorities in the Czech capital have rolled out a series of initiatives to attract a better class of tourist.
Deputy Mayor for Culture Jiří Pospíšil said: “Our goal is to attract premium visitors who come to Prague not only for its rich cultural offer.
“These tourists will spend more time in the city, increasing their spending while deepening their experience of our wonderful city.
“I believe that this strategy will economically support Prague entrepreneurs and, at the same time, strengthen and enrich the local culture.
“In this way, we will ensure that Prague becomes an even more attractive destination for tourists and a more pleasant place for the lives of its inhabitants.”
Following the collapse of communism, Prague rapidly established itself as a hotspot destination for those in search of cheap drinks and riotous fun at the city’s many, sometimes notorious nightclubs.
Prague’s rich history, culture, and architectural glories came second to the attractions of cut-price hedonism, and this has fuelled calls for changes to its tourism policy and resentment amongst the locals.
In March of this year, residents in the city center complained of the noise created by late-night revelers.
This led the council to propose that all restaurants and bars close at 10 p.m., a suggestion that was quickly rejected, with officials saying, “we can’t simply close everything and limit business and everything that is going on at night.”
The new strategy entitled ‘With Respect to Prague 2024-2027’ will include a revision of tourist guide services, short-term rentals, and the development of a new tourist app called ‘My Prague’.
According to tourist officials, the initiatives are designed to “enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices.”
František Cipro, chairman of the board of Prague City Tourism, said: “All our marketing campaigns target those who come to Prague for its sights, culture, and gastronomy, and who are willing to spend more time and money here.”
He added that the idea was to focus on individual travelers rather than larger groups.
The new tranche of measures will work alongside the ongoing ‘Enjoy Respect Prague’ campaign which encourages visitors to “Treat the Mother of Cities as you would your own Mum” and “enjoy your visit to Prague with respect for its residents.”
The campaign adds: “This is what the idea of slow tourism is all about—prioritising a deeper, individualised experience over a fleeting, unified experience.”
Deputy Mayor for Culture Jiří Pospíšil said: “Our goal is to attract premium visitors who come to Prague not only for its rich cultural offer.
“These tourists will spend more time in the city, increasing their spending while deepening their experience of our wonderful city.
“I believe that this strategy will economically support Prague entrepreneurs and, at the same time, strengthen and enrich the local culture.
“In this way, we will ensure that Prague becomes an even more attractive destination for tourists and a more pleasant place for the lives of its inhabitants.”
Following the collapse of communism, Prague rapidly established itself as a hotspot destination for those in search of cheap drinks and riotous fun at the city’s many, sometimes notorious nightclubs.
Prague’s rich history, culture, and architectural glories came second to the attractions of cut-price hedonism, and this has fuelled calls for changes to its tourism policy and resentment amongst the locals.
In March of this year, residents in the city center complained of the noise created by late-night revelers.
This led the council to propose that all restaurants and bars close at 10 p.m., a suggestion that was quickly rejected, with officials saying, “we can’t simply close everything and limit business and everything that is going on at night.”
The new strategy entitled ‘With Respect to Prague 2024-2027’ will include a revision of tourist guide services, short-term rentals, and the development of a new tourist app called ‘My Prague’.
According to tourist officials, the initiatives are designed to “enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices.”
František Cipro, chairman of the board of Prague City Tourism, said: “All our marketing campaigns target those who come to Prague for its sights, culture, and gastronomy, and who are willing to spend more time and money here.”
He added that the idea was to focus on individual travelers rather than larger groups.
The new tranche of measures will work alongside the ongoing ‘Enjoy Respect Prague’ campaign which encourages visitors to “Treat the Mother of Cities as you would your own Mum” and “enjoy your visit to Prague with respect for its residents.”
The campaign adds: “This is what the idea of slow tourism is all about—prioritising a deeper, individualised experience over a fleeting, unified experience.”
Source: prahain.cz/expats.cz
