The most famous city for shooting in Croatia is Dubrovnik, which played the role of King's Landing in the critically acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik was featured prominently in the series.
Residents of this famous city in Croatia have voiced their displeasure with the noise that is caused by visitors dragging bags through the Old Town during the high season for tourism, prompting the authorities to formulate new regulations that would prohibit tourists from doing so.
“„They will leave their bags at the designated point, and we will, of course, for a fee, bring their things to the address where they will stay. This is just the beginning, the ultimate goal is to create a logistics center within the airport, after which all the luggage will be to driven Dubrovnik visitors from [the airport] directly to the guests' addresses- Mato Frankovic, Dubrovnik Mayor
According to The Dubrovnik Times, tourism has revived following the end of substantial pandemic restrictions, and Dubrovnik, a seaside city with Renaissance architecture, attracts millions of visitors each year, with a peak of 1.5 million in 2019, and slightly over one million guests across 2022. In comparison to the same time period in 2022, the city has witnessed a rise of 32% so far this year. St Blaise Church and Rector's palace entrance in the old town of Dubrovnik in Croatia is where Game of Thrones was filmed.
The unforgettable scene of King's Landing being burned to the ground by vengeful Daenerys in the last season was filmed in the Old Town Dubrovnik. Due to this fact, subsequent tourism to the city increased significantly as a result.
The increase in tourism brought with it a number of new challenges that the natives either had forgotten about or had previously neglected. One of these challenges was the racket made by wheelie luggage rolling over the cobblestones of the Old Town.
Anyone who drags their bag through the region will be subject to a fine of 264 euros ($288), which was instituted by Frankovic as a first step toward a more comprehensive ban on suitcases across the city, which will go into effect in November.
A traveler pulls her suitcase at the central bus station in Zagreb, Croatia After visitors have dropped off their luggage outside of the city to be delivered by courier to a hotel or other local address, the local administration has begun the process of establishing a system that will prohibit them from carrying their luggage within the central business district of the city. This system will compel tourists to leave their luggage outside of the city.
“„Our city needs order, and after all, since I became mayor, I am constantly at war with someone. A little with souvenirs, a little with builders, a little with restaurateurs.- Mato Frankovic
The mayor added, explaining his efforts to introduce new rules for tourism as part of the "Respect the City" program.
A view of the Old Town of Dubrovnik The Dubrovnik Tourist Board has implemented a more comprehensive "Respect the City" initiative, in which visitors are asked to keep their dogs on leashes, to refrain from climbing monuments, and to wear shirts when wandering around the city.
Before arrival in Croatia, visitors will see a video lasting around two minutes that provides information about the "Respect the City" measures on their aircraft or cruise ship. At this time, the video is only being shown on Croatia Airlines; however, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board is now in discussions with other airlines about the possibility of showing it.