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Savannah set to impose 90-day curfew on downtown walking tours beginning February
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LISTEN: Nighttime walking tours in parts of Savannah's tourist-heavy downtown will need to end by 10 p.m. or 1 a.m., depending on location. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Savannah is preparing to implement new restrictions on walking tours throughout its downtown historic district, establishing curfews that tourism officials say will help balance visitor experiences with residents' quality of life.
The regulations, set to take effect Feb. 1, create two distinct zones divided by Liberty Street. Tour groups operating north of Liberty will need to conclude their walks by 1 a.m., while those in the more residential southern section must finish by 10 p.m.
"It is a very delicate balance that must be calibrated and recalibrated often to make sure that Savannah is a great city to live in first, and then a great city to visit secondly," Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said.
The measure will remain in place for at least 90 days as part of a pilot program, though some tour operators have voiced opposition, arguing that such limitations could harm their small businesses.
Whether the curfew extends beyond spring will depend on the program's results and continued discussions between city officials, tour operators and residents.
In a statement, city spokesperson Joshua Peacock said that Savannah officials would continue to have "ongoing engagement" with all stakeholders, calling the trial period "an important step in the city's efforts to find common ground and bridge the gap between tourism and the quality of life for our residents."
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