Architect slams drunken British tourists on Split rooftop, igniting rental debate

A heated debate over tourism's impact on local life has erupted in Split after a prominent architect publicly criticized British tourists for climbing onto the roof of a residential building while intoxicated. The incident, captured in a photograph shared online, has intensified discussions about the challenges posed by short-term tourist rentals in multi-unit dwellings.

Mariana Bucat, a well-known Split architect, posted on Facebook detailing how several young British tourists, reportedly arriving in an intoxicated state, ascended the roof of a building on Dubrovačka Street shortly after arriving by taxi. Bucat expressed strong opposition to renting apartments to tourists within residential buildings, asserting that it degrades residents' quality of life and creates significant safety hazards.

Bucat emphasized the potential consequences of such behavior, noting that any accident could trigger extensive interventions from emergency services, including medical personnel and police, as well as municipal services. She argued that the burden of these interventions ultimately falls on all citizens. Bucat also voiced support for stricter taxation policies on private tourist accommodations, humorously suggesting she would reward the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Tonči Glavina, with a feast for implementing such measures.

"It is not normal to house tourists in a multi-unit building," Bucat stated. "There are buildings designed for tourism with controls to prevent unforeseen behavior, but a neighborhood, a community, is different. Tourists do not belong there, and chaos ensues. Especially the average Split tourist, who is an ordinary drunken lout."

The architect's strong remarks have garnered significant attention and comments, reviving the ongoing conversation about balancing tourism development with the preservation of urban living quality in Split.

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It is not normal to house tourists in a multi-unit building. There are buildings designed for tourism with controls to prevent unforeseen behavior, but a neighborhood, a community, is different. Tourists do not belong there, and chaos ensues. Especially the average Split tourist, who is an ordinary drunken lout.