Barcelona, which is now inundated with tourists in the high-demand post-COVID-19 travel surge, has introduced new regulations to tackle overtourism and tourist behaviour.
To combat drunken behaviour by tourists, authorities have imposed a ‘six drinks a day’ rule for all-inclusive resorts. Guests must then pay for any additional drinks.
Noise restrictions, capacity limits, and a one-way system for tours in different centres across the city are now in effect in an effort to reduce pressure on Spanish residents, Schengen Visa Info reports.
Large tour groups in the city will have to use headsets and earpieces instead of megaphones. In addition, only 24 streets and squares identified specifically for tourism in the city can be visited by these tours.
Tour guides must choose stops along their route with enough space to avoid inconveniencing local pedestrians.
Tour groups are capped at 15 people instead of the usual 30 when visiting the narrow streets of the Ciutat Vella, and some historic sites allow only groups of three to eight visitors.
Tourists are encouraged by tour operators to book in advance, rather than buying tickets in the city streets.
