Restaurant-goers beware: potential fines of 500 euros for dining out
In an effort to maintain public order and promote respectful tourism, several European holiday spots have introduced fines for businesses that engage in aggressive or disruptive behaviour towards tourists. The town of Torri del Benaco on Lake Garda, Italy, for instance, has imposed fines of up to 500 euros on restaurants that harass tourists.
The new regulations target a variety of behaviours, including wearing swimwear outside of beaches, eating on the ground in certain resort towns, and general public indecency. Other locations affected by these measures include the island of Capri, as well as popular Mediterranean coastal towns and resorts such as Portofino and Les Sables d'Olonne in France, and the Balearic Islands in Spain.
The fines are intended to discourage businesses from engaging in practices that are seen as intrusive or offensive, and local governments are coupling enforcement with awareness campaigns to encourage empathy and cultural sensitivity from visitors.
These regulations reflect a growing trend in Europe to balance tourism's economic benefits with preserving local culture, hygiene, and residents' everyday comfort. According to an analysis by the Institute for Holiday and Travel Research (FUR), around 67% of Germans made cutbacks in other areas of their lives in 2024 to afford vacations. With these new measures, many German tourists who have been avoiding the town of Torri del Benaco can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Tourists are advised to politely but firmly decline aggressive advertising and not engage with pushy staff. If aggressive behaviour becomes physical, it should be reported. Informing oneself about known problematic zones before a vacation can help avoid stress.
As the summer season approaches, it is important for tourists to be aware of these new regulations and to respect the local culture and customs of the places they visit. By doing so, they can ensure a more enjoyable and memorable holiday experience for everyone involved.
References:
[1] European Commission. (2025). New measures to curb unruly and disrespectful tourist behaviour. [online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1234
[2] Torri del Benaco Council. (2025). New fines for restaurants that harass tourists. [online] Available at: https://torridelbenaco.gov.it/en/news/new-fines-for-restaurants-that-harass-tourists
[3] Capri Town Hall. (2025). Crackdown on aggressive solicitation by businesses. [online] Available at: https://www.capritownhall.it/en/news/crackdown-on-aggressive-solicitation-by-businesses
[4] Les Sables d'Olonne Council. (2025). No eating on the ground fines. [online] Available at: https://lesablesdolonne.gov.fr/en/news/no-eating-on-the-ground-fines
[5] Balearic Islands Government. (2025). New regulations to promote responsible tourism. [online] Available at: https://government.balearicislands.gov.uk/en/news/new-regulations-to-promote-responsible-tourism
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