The Dubrovnik Carnival is one of the highly anticipated festivals of the year, attracting thousands of locals and tourists to the cobbled streets of the Old Town, but the city decided to comply with UNESCO’s recommendations to limit access of people to the World Heritage Site each day. According to news from the region, UNESCO threatened sanctions in September 2016, and this year local authorities plan to install 116 surveillance cameras at some 37 locations to slow down the crowds, which, at peak season, could go as high as 15,000 people per day. If Dubrovnik does not comply, it may be removed from the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Per UNESCO recommendations, no more than 6,000 people should visit the Old Town every day, with authorities denying access if the number of tourists hits above 8,000. The rule does not apply to residents of the city. The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Andro Vlahušić, has already instructed that cameras installed at the entrances of the walled city will monitor the number of tourist triggering alerts when these reach the limit. The project was presented on Tuesday, 17 January 2017.
According to the project, when the number of tourists entering the Old City of Dubrovnik reaches 8000, measures are in place to divert traffic and organized tourist groups and unannounced visitors will be denied access. The site is currently the focus of a major restoration program coordinated by UNESCO, hence it makes sense for the Mayor to want to apply the new rules to protect the valuable landmarks and the city’s rich heritage. Considering that in 2016 Dubrovnik sold more than one million and eighty thousand tickets for the city walls, an increase of 11.5% compared to the same period in 2015, it is safe to assume that 2017 will be as successful. If you are planning a holiday to Dubrovnik you should consider the new access limit. You should purchase a Dubrovnik Card, the key that opens the door to all of the top attractions of the city. Card holders are given priority.