If you’ve ever been to the centres of some of Spain’s biggest cities, chances are that you will have seen, and heard, large tour groups, which can often cause a lot of disruption.
In order to help solve this issue, Valencia City Council has opened up submissions for applications for subsidies for tour guides which they can use to buy radio guide equipment.
This gear will allow guides to speak at a normal level into a small microphone, which is then transmitted into earpieces or headphones worn by tourists.
In essence, the aim is that tour guides don’t have to raise their voices or use megaphones in order to be heard by the whole group over the general hubbub of the city.
Tourist guides with official qualifications and tax domicile in the city of Valencia can apply.
The hope is that this will also improve the experience for visitors and help those with hearing difficulties, as well as helping to reduce noise pollution in the city.
Valencia's Councillor for Tourism Paula Llobet, said in a statement that “this is another step towards a model of sustainable, respectful, inclusive and quality tourism”.
It is part of a list of measures for good practices for tourist guides in the city of Valencia.
The council has promised that 50 percent of the purchase price of radio guide equipment will be subsidised with a maximum of €500 per guide.
The deadline for submitting applications will remain open until November 4th and can be done electronically through the electronic headquarters of the Valencia City Council.
This responds to complaints from locals about the number and noise caused by tour groups in the city centre.
READ ALSO - 'Theme park for idiots': Locals in Spain outraged by dancing city tours
Limits on tour group numbers have been brought in by local councils in both Valencia and Barcelona, but are not always followed, especially by tour companies that come in from outside the city or the country.
Guided bike tours and huge groups of cruise ship passengers are two issues that have been highlighted by Spain's anti-tourism protests.
Valencia now also has Bailaloloco Silent Disco Tour, where tourists and participants wear headphones but dance through the city streets, much to the annoyance of some locals.
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