Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s most iconic tourist destinations, has successfully implemented sustainable tourism measures to protect its UNESCO-listed Old Town while maintaining economic growth. The city, which gained international fame as the filming location for Game of Thrones, has faced significant challenges due to overtourism, particularly from cruise ships and seasonal visitor surges.Addressing the Impact of Mass TourismThe City of Dubrovnik and the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport have introduced a range of initiatives to balance tourism and local life.
In 2017, Dubrovnik was named one of the world’s most overcrowded destinations, prompting officials to introduce new policies aimed at reducing congestion and improving visitor experience.Key measures include:Cruise ship regulations: The number of daily arrivals has been staggered and reduced, requiring ships to dock for a minimum of eight hours. As a result, while 600,000 cruise passengers visited in 2023, this was 400,000 fewer than in 2017, yet tourism revenue increased.
Taxi restrictions: A new permit system has limited taxi licenses in the Old Town to 700, enforced by surveillance cameras launching in 2025.Street vendor reductions: The number of vendors operating in the Old Town has dropped by 70%, improving pedestrian flow.Visitor tracking: A camera system monitors visitors entering and exiting the Old Town, ensuring numbers do not exceed the daily 11,297 capacity set by the University of Dubrovnik.
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