To protect its inhabitants and its heritage, the municipality has taken unprecedented measures.
Nestled in the heart of the Alps, a village offers a breathtaking panorama. Its colorful houses with sloping roofs are reflected in the crystal clear waters of the lake, while majestic mountains rise on the horizon. This idyllic landscape has not failed to inspire artists, including undoubtedly the Disney graphic designers for their famous animated film Frozen.
The beauty of this place attracts more than a million visitors each year, almost 1.5 million in 2023, seduced by its picturesque charm and preserved authenticity. The cobbled streets, the market square and the church with its slender bell tower bear witness to its seven centuries of history. But this popularity has a downside: overtourism today threatens the tranquility of the 750 souls who populate this village, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
This unique village where tourists from all over the world flock is Hallstatt, in Austria. It is so beautiful that a copy of this village was built in China and it also inspired a South Korean television series. Problem is, it attracts so many people that residents struggle to go about their daily activities, overwhelmed by the incessant flow of tourists. Faced with this worrying situation, the municipality had to take measures. The number of tourist buses authorized to access it has been reduced by half. In vain, visitors find other means of transport to reach the village.
The most surprising decision, however, remains the recent installation of a wooden barrier on one of the most popular viewpoints for selfie enthusiasts, as noted by AFP. The objective? Preserve this exceptional panorama and discourage intrusive photographers. Because beyond the inconvenience caused on a daily basis, it is the very soul of Hallstatt which is at stake, warn the local authorities. The challenge is significant for them: regulating tourist flows while preserving economic activity linked to visitors. Tourism still provides a living for a large part of the inhabitants…
By installing this anti-selfie barrier, the inhabitants of Hallstatt are however launching a cry of alarm, a call for more reasoned and respectful tourism so that this jewel of the Alps retains its authenticity and its magic, the very ones which would have inspired the enchanted kingdom of Frozen.