Street traders hit by major clampdown on Italian holiday island

Capri is cracking down on the solicitation of tourists in public spaces in order to maintain a good reputation among visitors.

The Italian island in the Bay of Naples is popular with tourists for its fine dining, high-end boutiques and luxury hotels.

However, officials are concerned that its dignified image could be damaged by the number of commercial operators soliciting tourists in public spaces.

Authorities say they are damaging the standards of “decorum and safety” on the island.

With a large number of tourists walking through the historic centre and the Marina Grande port, Capri wants pedestrian traffic to flow smoothly “without [visitors] being constantly approached and stopped by traders”.

Those who approach tourists often offer island tours and boat trips, or attempt to solicit visits to specific restaurants.

Municipal authorities added that traders can be intrusive and persistent, describing the behaviour as “commercial harassment”.

The traders are also causing disturbance to public peace, damaging the image of Capri and stopping crowds from flowing smoothly, the authorities added.

As a result, Capri now strictly prohibits commercial operators and owners of tourist agencies from soliciting customers “in an intrusive or insistent manner” while in public spaces.

Commercial operators and traders can only solicit visitors within their own premises.

Operators could be fined between €25 (£22) and €500 (£433) if they do not comply with the new ruling.

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