Belgium: Bruges says "stop" to overtourism

A famous belfry and a Flemish city visited by the whole world. Bruges (Belgium) welcomes 8 million tourists each year, for a population of less than 120,000. On sunny days, there are dense crowds, boats passing by, and exasperated residents. To put an end to overtourism, the city first banned all new hotels and vacation rentals. A municipal agent hunts down individuals who rent out homes without a permit. Padlocks, trash cans—she knows how to spot all the suspicious signs.

But the biggest flow comes from buses and boats that unload visitors for just a few hours, just enough time to take photos, buy chocolates, and eat a Belgian specialty. The nearby port of Zeebrugge now only allows two boats per day instead of five, but the city has other measures in mind. "Unlike Venice, which charges admission for daily visitors, Bruges plans to tax buses and cruise ships, which contribute the most to mass tourism," points out Valérie Astruc, special correspondent in Bruges.

Watch the full report in the video above.