With fewer than 800 permanent residents, the town has often been outnumbered by tourists and can see up to 10,000 visitors a day, according to CNN.
However, just days later, Hallstatt’s mayor, Alexander Scheutz, called for the barrier to be removed following harsh criticism on social media.
Critics claimed the wall interfered with the town’s natural beauty. Instead, Scheutz told local media they would put replace the barrier with a banner reminding visitors to be considerate of locals living in the area.
Additionally, the town has also placed daily limits on the number of cars and buses allowed into the town, in an effort to prevent over-tourism.
European towns introduce ‘no waiting zones’ to curb over-tourism
The return of tourists following the worst of the pandemic has seen many cities around Europe put barriers or restrictions in place.
Portofino, a fishing village in Italy, is enforcing a “no-waiting zone” during peak tourist season. People who linger too long around designated areas between 10.30am and 6pm can be fined approximately €270 ($464).
One of these areas is the pier, where many tourists like to stand for photos in front of the town’s vibrant buildings. Similar to Hallstatt, Portofino’s permanent residents are often outnumbered by tourists, who block narrow streets and pathways.
The “no waiting” rules will be in place until October 15.
