ZAGREB, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Croatia's island Hvar is urging tourists to behave themselves with new tips that caught media attention here.
"Sleeping in public areas will cost you a lot more than the accommodation you've paid," says a sign that the city of Hvar has put on streets, local media reports. Those who don't obey will be fined 400 euros.
It's just one of many new rules that were first introduced in 2017 when Croatian holiday spots introduced fines for tourists who behave inappropriately.
"The main city square is not a picnic area", "Alcohol? Not in public areas" or "We expect our guests to be dressed in an appropriate manner. The city is a cultural center, not a beach", are other signs that can be seen in the city of Hvar. Fines for those "crimes" range from 400 up to 700 euros.
Hvar has recently become a very popular destination among young tourists whose bad behavior inspired the mayor of the city Hvar to first introduce new measures. Other famous Croatian tourists' hot spots are following the Hvar rules.
Dubrovnik, the most famous tourist destination in the country, has forbidden walking in swimming suits through the Old Town, which has gained fame as the main shooting location of popular TV series Game of Thrones. The Old Town of Dubrovnik, authorities argue, is a kind of a museum and since the swim wear is prohibited in museums, it should also be banned in the city center.
Warnings about proper clothing can be found in the city of Split as well. The city mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara sent a message this month to all visitors asking them to behave and respect the heritage and city customs.
"We are loud like all Mediterranean people, but we don't like noise during rest time. Especially at night, below our windows. We know that you are at holidays and that you want to have fun, but please don't do it by listening to loud music in your apartment because people here need rest so that they can be at your and other guests service tomorrow," the mayor published at his Facebook page.
Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split all boast UNESCO World Heritage sites. The peak of the tourist season is to begin soon in the southeastern European country where the tourism industry accounts for nearly 20 percent of its GDP.
