European party city famous for boozy holidays wants to ban tourists from wearing certain outfits
BRITS heading to a popular European holiday city have been warned about packing certain outfits in their suitcases, with “ridiculous” plans in place to prevent people from wearing them.
Every year, millions of holidaymakers visit the Czech capital Prague, including around 500,000 tourists from the UK.
However, the city is considering introducing strict rules that would prevent visitors from wearing “outrageous costumes” and fancy dress in a bid to reduce noisy stag and hen parties.
Officials in the city are discussing potentially prohibiting what they consider to be “outrageous costumes” worn by nearly-weds who visit for a celebration before their big day.
Councillors in the central Prague 1 district want city leaders to implement the ban to discourage foreign bachelor and bachelorette groups, believing it will help reduce noise pollution for residents.
Prague is just the latest European city to consider strict new rules to deter British tourists.
Amsterdam recently launched its so-far unsuccessful “stay-away” campaign to try and clean up its image.
The proposal has been branded “ridiculous, unworkable and slightly embarrassing” by the boss of one of the UK’s leading stag and hen do organisers.
Matt Mavir, managing director at Last Night of Freedom, which sends thousands of customers to Prague every year, said the proposal was “just silly”.
He said: “Like the over-zealous and unworkable ‘stag ban’ in Amsterdam, the only thing I can see this latest proposal doing is encouraging even more people to book a stag or hen do in Prague.
“For a start, how could this sort of ban ever be enforced? Who decides what is or isn’t ‘outrageous’?
“It’s ridiculous and slightly embarrassing.
“The vast majority of stag and hen groups are respectful and go to Prague and other destinations to have fun.
“There are already established laws in place to deal with offensive items, so I can’t see what use a ban on fancy dress costumes would serve.”
After three decades as a nightlife capital, Prague is still a huge hit with Brits.
Only Benidorm is more popular among overseas destinations served by Last Night of Freedom, with almost 200 groups heading there this weekend alone.
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Matt added: “Prague has always been among our very top destinations for stags to escape into hedonism, and I can’t ever see that changing. There’s just so much to do, see and experience.
“It’s a beautiful and wonderfully welcoming city, but a few short-sighted officials should be careful not to demonise tourists and potentially jeopardise a vital and profitable industry.
“Stag and hen dos are the bedrock of a healthy tourism industry, especially when properly organised, and they bring fun, vibrancy and a massive economic benefit to Prague.
“It could be very harmful to turn away such a valuable market, and I’d urge the councillors discussing these plans to think again.”
As first reported by local city newspaper Prague Morning, the potential ban has even been criticised by those representing the Prague 1 district.
Adam Zábranský, the councillor for property, transparency and legislation, said a direct ban is not the most suitable solution.
He told the publication: “We understand the frustration with pub crawls and drunken tourists, but imposing a ban on silly costumes seems excessive.”
Meanwhile, this Spanish city is also stamping down on stag and hen parties.
And these are other things you can do in Prague.
