Dubrovnik to close its gates, increase prices, and introduce passes for locals

The excessive number of tourists in Dubrovnik, especially during the peak of the tourist season and during the visits of numerous cruise ships, is something Dubrovnik Mayor Andro Vlahušić intends to solve by following the example of nightclubs and by increasing prices, reports the Patria news agency.

After a certain number of visitors, no one will be allowed to enter the Old Town until someone leaves, is the idea of the Dubrovnik mayor, which he presented to journalists. Locals would have passes, so the ban would not apply to them, explained Vlahušić.

"To ensure that there are never more than 8,000 people in the Old Town at any given time, as recommended by UNESCO, cameras will be installed at all gates of the Old Town and in the Port to count people. When the number of visitors entering the Old Town reaches 6,000, no one else will be able to enter. Citizens should receive passes that will allow them to move around the historic core even when entry is banned," announced the Dubrovnik mayor today, reports dubrovniknet.hr.

Vlahušić says that some visits to the old town should be announced in advance and thus better distributed to reduce crowds. The Dubrovnik mayor claims that this measure is actually a salvation for Dubrovnik tourism.

Another measure that should contribute is the increase in prices. Namely, Vlahušić says that Dubrovnik has become "too cheap a destination".