Prague bans pub crawls to curb nighttime disturbances
The authorities in Prague have banned the so-called pub crawls, which involve tourists moving from pub to pub during the night. According to council members, these tours, organised by specialised tourist agencies, have led to disturbances of nighttime peace by noisy and drunk tourists.
15 October 2024 08:44
The regulation will come into effect on publication. The authorities of Prague District 1, where the historic city centre is located, requested such a ban.
The need for these changes was justified by the impact of these tours along the routes of inns, pubs, and clubs on city life and its management. Attention was drawn to the disturbance of nighttime peace, noise, litter, and the need to ensure safety.
City authorities emphasized Prague's deteriorating reputation due to the constant presence of inebriated tourists. This could negatively affect the perception of the Czech capital by other visitors, potential investors, and residents themselves.
Prague District 1 has long struggled with problems associated with so-called alcohol tourism, referring to trips to the Czech capital primarily by younger foreigners to consume alcohol.
A separate issue is over-tourism, which refers to excessive tourist traffic in one city or region. According to official statistics, approximately 7 million tourists stayed in Prague hotels and guesthouses in 2023, representing a year-on-year quarterly increase.
