Istanbul cracks down on vendors harassing tourists

Istanbul authorities have announced a set of new measures aimed at curbing the commercial harassment of visitors in the city’s most touristy areas, where some shopkeepers and restaurant employees insistently try to attract customers in the middle of the street or pressure them to make a purchase. This practice, known in Turkey as ‘hanutçuluk’ or tourist harassment, has generated numerous complaints among travellers and damages the city’s international image as a tourist destination, warn authorities and industry representatives.

According to Turkish media reports, the Istanbul Governor‘s Office said the initiative aims to protect both public order and the safety of tourists, as well as safeguarding the city’s reputation. The seven-point plan defines ‘hanutism’ as the practice of diverting or pressuring tourists to go to certain shops in exchange for a commission, a behaviour which – according to the statement – damages the image of Istanbul tourism and other traders and threatens the peace and safety of visitors.

According to the new rules announced by Istanbul’s governor, the city’s merchants will only be allowed to greet tourists and potential customers with a simple ‘welcome’ and must do so at a distance of at least 50 centimetres (half a metre). Insistent attempts, physical contact or raising the voice to attract their attention are strictly forbidden. In addition, all businesses located in tourist areas must install security cameras facing the street, with the ability to record both image and sound, to facilitate the monitoring of interactions between staff and customers and to allow for the clarification of possible complaints.

It is also prohibited to offer free samples or conduct demonstrations outside the premises, to block the way of pedestrians or to behave in a noisy, insistent or annoying manner towards customers, even within the establishment itself. The regulation also provides for regular inspections by teams of police and municipal officers, who will use drones and body cameras. Penalties for businesses and restaurants that break the rules will be severe: businesses that break the rules can be closed for three days for a first offence, up to five days for a second offence and up to ten days for a third offence.

With a unique blend of European and Asian culture, Istanbul is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations. Between January and August this year alone, the Turkish metropolis welcomed 12.4 million tourists – almost 35% of all foreign visitor arrivals to Turkey – attracted by iconic monuments such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, the Galata Tower and the Grand Bazaar.

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