Dubrovnik has always been a prominent tourist destination. The city is about 1,400 years old; and its ancient buildings and Adriatic Sea have attracted travelers from all over the globe for years. The local atmosphere has also drawn attention of Game of Thrones creators. Many scenes of the HBO original series were filmed in Dubrovnik's medieval promenade and old houses. The series brought a huge flow of tourists and gave the Croatian town a headache. The city hardly withstands such a wave of visitors.
When Game of Thrones just started gaining in popularity, Dubrovnik's Major Andro Vlahushich said he could not wait for the moment when the series would make the resort a tourist center like New Zealand where the Lord of the Rings had been filmed. That is why, Dubrovnik's authorities offered use of the old town for free to HBO.
Dubrovnik's stunning views were also noticed by Disney filming Star Wars: Episode VIII there.
Andro Vlahushich's expectations came true. The city became probably too popular among travelers and Game of Thrones' fans. Tourists complain about a lack of overnight accommodations; and citizens, about traffic congestion.
Interestingly, experts believe that tourism in Dubrovnik has not reached its peak yet. The city's authorities have to think over the accommodation issue. The town is densely built-up with old houses, and the locals do not have spacious apartments to welcome foreigners.
The paradox is that tourists complain about ongoing filming. Visitors say that the film and series makers prevent them from enjoying Dubrovnik's views.
However, boosting touristic demand was important for Dubrovnik as the state has recently escaped from a six-year recession. Tourism makes up a one-sixth part of the country's economy.
Dubrovnik is struggling to meet tourists' needs and expectations, and it fails to keep up with visitors' inflow. The situation is worsened by the fact that the city of Dubrovnik is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
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