- Malaga aims to instruct tourists on etiquette.
Vacay Time at Last. Time to Ditch the Stuffy Suit and its Etiquettes. Some vacationers behave like a bull in a china shop, disregarding local customs and laws, and definitely not the residents. This recklessness often results in discontent, with protests against tourists becoming increasingly vocal in various places, such as Mallorca. Even in the Spanish city of Málaga, the locals have had enough of rude tourists. The city has retaliated.
Eighteen billboards prompt tourists to adhere to local laws. These aren't obscure regulations, but rather basic etiquettes for coexistence in society. The Malagueños are particularly annoyed by rowdy behavior, littering, reckless scooter riding, and inappropriate attire.
Malaga Counters Rowdy Tourists
To address these four key issues, the city has drafted English translations. One billboard urges visitors to keep the city clean, using trash cans and recycling bins, and to respect monuments, historical sites, gardens, and seating areas. Another billboard asks visitors to keep quiet and respect their neighbors' sleep. It advises against shouting and playing loud music.
The Malagueños also object to tourists who treat traffic rules as optional. In the era of affordable travel, "El Confidencial" criticizes "gangs of tourists on rented scooters turning cities into their personal race tracks." Signs remind visitors that sidewalks are for pedestrians, and scooter and bike users should stay within legal boundaries and follow local rules.
Tourism Chaos in Málaga
However, what seems to irk the Malagueños the most is tourists' lack of decorum in their attire. Recently, images of tourists wandering around half-naked, shirtless or with exposed bottoms, in bikinis or shorts, have been spreading on social media. A local residents' group shared these images, expressing shock about the future of Málaga. "El Confidencial" portrays the scene bluntly: "Some 'guiris' [derogatory term for Northern Europeans] are swarming the city with bare chests, sweaty and sunburned."
The city's billboard campaign also aims to tackle this unwanted form of public display. Their goal? For tourists to dress appropriately - not as if they've just stepped out of a pool lounge. "Wear full clothing," the billboards insist. For hygienic reasons, a top should always be worn on the streets and in public places.
Whether the city's campaign, supported by the tourism office, will be successful remains to be seen. The locals' optimism is currently low. "We've spent years attracting drunken tourists, and now we expect them to behave like royalty," one reader commented on the "El Confidencial" article.
Source: El Confidencial, The Times
The European Union, recognizing the concerns of local communities, has urged travelers to respect the cultural norms and laws of destinations, such as Spain's Malaga, where tourism has led to significant challenges. In response to these issues, The European Union has encouraged member states to promote responsible tourism practices and cultural sensitivity among their citizens.
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