Popular Croatian island says no to party tourism in major shift

Hvar

The town of Hvar on the Croatian island of the same name has made a bold decision to move away from party tourism, rejecting a proposal to raise noise limits during the summer season.

After an intense debate, the local council held a secret vote, ultimately deciding to keep the current noise restrictions in place, Dnevnik.hr reports.

This decision comes despite lobbying from the hospitality sector, which had pushed for a way to bypass noise rules by declaring the entire island a year-round entertainment zone.

One proposal suggested allowing all hospitality venues to place speakers on public spaces and play music at up to 85 decibels, essentially turning every establishment into an open-air nightclub.

However, this was firmly rejected.

Backlash from Hospitality Owners

The decision has left many bar and restaurant owners frustrated, particularly those who host outdoor weddings or organise events on the nearby Pakleni Islands.

“I think this is a disaster. We have always supported stricter rules and better monitoring, but now we are going from one extreme to another. This is not the right approach,” Vicko Visković from the hospitality association Dictum Factum, told Dnevnik.hr.

The move comes after a turbulent period for Hvar’s tourism sector, which included violent clashes among business owners, days of protests, and an inspection crackdown revealing multiple violations in hospitality venues.

A Turning Point for Hvar?

While some see this as a necessary shift to restore order and quality tourism, others worry about the long-term impact on Hvar’s economy.

Hvar town

Hospitality businesses argue that a well-regulated nightlife scene is essential to the island’s appeal.

With the summer season approaching, all eyes will be on Hvar to see how this new approach affects the island’s tourism industry.