Malaga Issues Dress Code Warning for Tourists Amid Tourism Boom…
Malaga, a favored Spanish destination for British tourists, is now advising visitors to dress modestly in public spaces. The city has introduced new billboards asking tourists to avoid being “conspicuous” and dress appropriately while out and about.
Located on the Mediterranean coast, Malaga has become a top travel spot, recently surpassing Costa del Sol in visitor numbers. Last year, the city attracted a record 14 million tourists.
In response to the large influx of visitors, Malaga’s tourism board is now focusing on controlling how tourists present themselves. New posters around the city, titled ‘Improve your stay in Malaga,’ remind tourists to dress fully in public for reasons of respect and hygiene. This initiative follows a new law that imposes fines of up to €750 (£633) for public indecency.
The posters also provide tips on improving tourist behavior, such as proper litter disposal and respectful conduct around monuments and public spaces. Additionally, they address issues of public noise, urging visitors to avoid shouting, singing, or loud music to respect local residents, including the elderly and essential workers.
Malaga is not alone in managing tourist behavior. Croatia has also introduced fines for indecent behavior, including walking around shirtless or drinking in public, with penalties reaching up to £3,400. In response, the UK government updated travel advice for Croatia to include awareness of potential “on the spot fines” for inappropriate behavior.
Greece is taking measures to mitigate the impact of tourists on local life, such as banning new construction on Santorini to protect the island’s environment and historical sites. Dubrovnik has even banned wheeled suitcases to reduce noise disturbances, advising visitors to arrange for luggage delivery to their hotels.
