British holidays to Prague could change forever after ‘ridiculous’ rule change

Brits love Prague. It's one of those destinations that attracts millions of tourists from all walks of life every single year.

But holidaying there is set to alter massively as a result of a significant rule change - and people are not happy.

Prague has become one of the most renowned destinations in the world when it comes to the famous stag do, where a groom-to-be and his closest family and friends celebrate his final era as an unmarried man.

You can't blame people for continuously flocking there no matter what time of year when it has pints for under £2 and flights for as little as £20.

It's also stunning on the eyes, with some ancient landmarks that transport you back hundreds of years. And it has the largest castle complex, so I'm more than sold.

Of course, when a stag do goes abroad so does a little bit more chaos than your standard holiday. Fuelled by excitement and the ritual 3am airport pints, it can be even end up with police getting involved when pranks go wrong.

Another ritual involves getting dressed up.

Well, that is now under threat when it comes to a Prague excursion.

It follows in the footsteps of Amsterdam, which has taken drastic measures as it tells stag dos to 'stay away' from the Dutch city.

Mala Strana and empty Nerudova street in the morning, Prague (Getty Stock Images)

The city is edging closer to big rule changes as it looks to clean up its image; a future where tourists see it is more than just stag dos.

According to reports in the local media, the Prague 1 district recently approved a resolution to negotiate with the city municipality regarding banning 'outrageous costumes'.

Bronislava Sitár Baboráková, chair of the committee against depopulation and for supporting community life, proposed the resolution as he argued they ‘exceed acceptable social norms and negatively impact residents, especially children and senior citizens’.

But according to the councillor for property, transparency and legislation, Adam Zábranský, a direct ban isn't the outcome that should be sought. He said: “We understand the frustration with pub crawls and drunken tourists.

"But imposing a ban on silly costumes seems excessive."

Prague could be saying goodbye to stags dressed as bananas (Getty Stock Images)

Now Matt Mavir, managing director at Last Night of Freedom, which sends thousands of customers to Prague every year, said the proposal was 'just silly'.

Mavir said: "Like the over-zealous and unworkable ‘stag ban’ in Amsterdam, the only thing I can see this latest proposal doing is encouraging even more people to book a stag or hen do in Prague,” said Matt, who has organised 50,000 weekends during 25 years in the industry.

“For a start, how could this sort of ban ever be enforced? Who decides what is or isn’t outrageous? It’s ridiculous and slightly embarrassing. The vast majority of stag and hen groups are respectful and go to Prague and other destinations to have fun.

“There are already established laws in place to deal with offensive items, so I can’t see what use a ban on fancy dress costumes would serve.”

Run Forest Run (Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

He added: "Prague has always been among our very top destinations for stags to escape into hedonism, and I can’t ever see that changing. There’s just so much to do, see and experience.

“It’s a beautiful and wonderfully welcoming city, but a few short-sighted officials should be careful not to demonise tourists and potentially jeopardise a vital and profitable industry. Stag and hen dos are the bedrock of a healthy tourism industry, especially when properly organised, and they bring fun, vibrancy and a massive economic benefit to Prague.

“It could be very harmful to turn away such a valuable market, and I’d urge the councillors discussing these plans to think again.”