Prague, a popular European destination known for its affordable beer and vibrant nightlife, is set to introduce a crackdown on alcohol-fuelled holidays from November. The Czech Republic capital, often chosen for stag and hen dos, has announced a new rule to curb unruly behaviour in tourist-heavy areas.
Organised pub crawls will be prohibited between 10pm and 6am due to noise, safety and cleanliness concerns. Prague City Council stated that the decision aims to limit ‘organised movements of tourists from pub to pub, disrupting the night peace especially in the centre’.
Other locations have also taken steps to discourage excessive drinking among tourists. Amsterdam launched a campaign last year to dissuade Brits from visiting the Dutch capital for binge drinking and drug use.
In Spain, some resorts in Majorca and Ibiza have imposed a six-drinks-per-day limit at all-inclusive hotels to prevent holidaymakers from ‘drinking to excess’, which hotel owners claim has led to strained relations with local residents. Travel expert Gemma Brown, from Travel Republic, warned that failure to adhere to Prague’s impending ban could result in fines, being refused entry to certain nightlife spots or even police intervention.
She explained: “As cities across Europe respond to the challenges of over-tourism and alcohol-fuelled disruptions, we’re seeing new rules emerge that focus on creating a more respectful and enjoyable environment for both tourists and locals.”, reports Birmingham Live.
She also shared, “It’s not just Prague – last year, Amsterdam launched a campaign to discourage certain types of tourism, and some Spanish all-inclusive resorts have also implemented drink limits to manage excessive alcohol consumption. This is a trend travellers need to be aware of as it could affect their holiday planning moving forward.”
Moreover, she noted that the new regulations “won’t stop regular tour groups or individuals from visiting pubs independently. Holidaymakers will also still be able to book guided brewery tours and beer-tasting sessions.”
