Sustainable tourism in Prague

The Czech capital’s efforts to change its image from a ‘party destination’ to a ‘sustainable destination’ are yielding important results, with a long-term plan set to expire in 2027.

Indeed, the Prague City Council has approved a new tourism strategy for the period 2024-2027, building on the efforts made to date in an attempt to change Prague’s image from a destination linked to alcotourism to an attractive destination for high-profile travelers seeking culture, monuments, and history.

Analyzing the trends, Prague has charted a successful course in tourism in recent years, with average tourist spending up 40% compared to 2019. Domestic tourism also increased by 20%, and overall tourist satisfaction rose by 9% over the same period.

The strategy designed up to 2027 includes 29 specific projects, to be implemented gradually, aiming to cultivate and stabilize tourism in Prague, ensuring that it remains sustainable and beneficial for visitors and residents.

The new marketing campaigns will therefore be aimed at those who wish to visit Prague for its attractions, culture, and typical local cuisine: tourists willing to spend time and money in the Czech capital.

A special aspect of the strategy is the collaborative approach at the European level. Indeed, Prague, together with other cities such as Amsterdam and Barcelona, will coordinate activities through the Alliance for Sustainable Tourism. This platform will facilitate the sharing of data and best practices to balance tourism and residents’ needs.

Projects include the revision of the educational system for guide services, an attempt to solve the problem of short-term rentals, and the development of a new tourism app, called My Prague. These and other initiatives are designed to improve the visitor experience while promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Additionally, the Enjoy Respect Prague campaign aims to educate visitors about the rules and culture of behavior in the city, promoting respect for both tourists and residents. The focus of this campaign is the limited consumption of alcohol in public and maintaining silence at night.

Prague’s desire for redemption is thus evident: the Czech capital wants to free itself from its serotype as a party destination and transform itself into a symbol of sustainable and quality tourism, demonstrating a commendable determination to overcome the image linked to alcohol tourism, wanting to configure itself as a destination of excellence, attractive to those in search of authentic experiences.

Sources: https://www.expats.cz/