We want to slow down tourists in Prague, says a spokesman for Prague City Tourism
What has the survey already shown?
For example, the fact that most people come here individually, without travel agencies, on the recommendation of their friends. So it is important that we like tourists, because then they share their experience and attract other visitors.
This is surprising, I would say that most people get information over the internet …
Of course, too, but the initial stimulus comes from loved ones. This was expressed by 45 percent of respondents in the winter and 43 percent of respondents in the summer.
Why do tourists come here?
The main reasons are architecture, history and monuments. In second place, but at a considerable distance, is gastronomy and entertainment. We want tourists to come here for things other than ancient architecture. We have an interesting cultural offer and gastronomy.
Spokeswoman for Prague City Tourism Kateřina Bártová
So tourists also come to us for food? Where to?
For example, in Vinohrady, they are varied in terms of gastronomy and have something to contain. It is also sought after for its food Karlín, which, paradoxically, was helped by the floods of 2002 and is now referred to as a district similar to the Kreuzberg in Berlin. But it is also interesting with new buildings, which unfortunately do not have as many in Prague as we would like.
You said that tourists still come here more for sights, so why do you want new buildings?
We should not constantly rely on preserved architecture. The city is a changing element. Tourists who come here for the first time want to see Charles Bridge, Prague Castle. But once you visit these sights, why would they return here? It’s important that something always happens here, that people want to spend more than just one or two nights here. There are a lot of great events, every year we attract you to the Signal Festival, the United Islands, the Summer Summer or the marathon, but it would like to come up with something they don’t have anywhere else in Europe that would make it worthwhile to go here.
What else do tourists like here?
For example, the fact that Prague is liberal is, in some respects, accommodating. They are also satisfied with public transport, information center services and the work of professional guides.
And what don’t you like?
Sometimes he doesn’t feel wanted here. This is true, for example, in services. They have the impression that, for example, the staff at the hotel receptions do not treat them as they would like. Tourism is also about working with people, which is not always easy.
Prague City Tourism has recently issued a statement that the center is crowded and is therefore trying to direct tourists to other parts. How do you do it?
More and more people are coming to Prague and the city cannot be inflated. therefore, to show that Prague is not just a historical center, but that there is much more to see here. This year, for example, we have published the brochure Five Prague Walks, which invites you to lesser-known corners of Prague.
What does Prague ask tourists?* For the second year in a row, Prague City Tourism staff has been asking tourists why they have visited Prague or if they ever want to return. This municipal organization always carries out a questionnaire survey in winter and summer and sets up the marketing of Prague according to it * 6,161 respondents have already donated. One nationality is always represented by a maximum of 120 people over the age of 15. The questionnaires are in 12 language versions and 113 nationalities have already been delivered. |
And how is it going so far to direct tourists away from the center?
It’s a long run. Three quarters of tourists are here for the first time, and of course they will not miss the main sights. On the other hand, the question arises as to whether Prague will still be able to accommodate more tourists.
The fact that there is interest in Prague is also evidenced by the numbers. In the first half of this year, you recorded an increase in tourists by 6.7 percent. How do you explain their interest?
We systematically promote Prague, and urban tourism is on the rise. People from Europe, where most tourists come to us, like to spend their free time on shorter holidays. It is also accessible, has a good location.
I also like tourists here because I feel safe, as the questionnaire survey shows so far?
Yes, safety and cleanliness are the two aspects that tourists appreciate the most.
This is paradoxical given that the European Commission has published a ranking of the Regional Index of Social Development in the EU, according to which we lag behind in safety.
It depends on the criteria on which the European Commission is based. It may be necessary to participate in the ailments that every big city has – pickpockets, problematic night locations. We ask people if I feel safe overall, and the satisfaction in this area exceeds ninety percent.
Significantly more Europeans come here than Asians. Do you even care about promotion in Asia when, as you say, there are already a lot of tourists?
We must not rest on our laurels. The fact that Prague is now experiencing a huge boom in tourism is great, but the competition is huge and Asia is very important to us. However, the way of traveling there is different.
In what?
If Asians travel to Europe, they don’t just want to see Prague. We therefore stay with us for a short time and we would like them to stay here longer. We will emphasize the trend of slow tourism more. It’s a contrast to coming somewhere, doing what you “should” see, ticking off the list, and going somewhere else. On the contrary, we want people to enjoy their travel experience to the fullest, not in a hurry.
So you’re trying to slow down tourists?
Yes, it would be great, but even that cannot be achieved overnight.
What other trends in tourism do we have here?
Film tourism has great potential. Last year, we even released a film map, which currently shows 39 filming locations. For example, the plot of the film takes place in Prague Anthropoid, I hope it attracts more movie fans. The capital has also established a film foundation that will support filmmakers who will be interested in filming in Prague.
What else does Prague show in a good light?
For example, Prague is appearing more and more often in computer games. The question is to what extent such a player will feel the need to come, if he does not prefer a virtual experience. Then I also help when a celebrity shows up. An actor was here in the summer Zac Efron (eg Musical from high school, editor’s note), the fans registered him on Charles Bridge and flooded Instagram.