ZAGREB — The mayor of Croatia’s popular party resort island of Hvar has pledged to put an end to debauchery by mostly young British tourists and improve their behaviour by slapping them with huge fines.

"Save Your Money and Enjoy Hvar" read signs put up at the weekend at the entrances to the town’s centre, graphically detailing offences and the corresponding fines, local media reported.

The highest 700-euro (US$797) fine is for public drinking, eating or sleeping.

Other unwelcome behaviour includes tourists walking around in swimsuits in Hvar’s centre risking a $683 fine while those not wearing T-shirts will pay $570.

Newly-elected mayor Rikardo Novak had earlier pledged he would "make decent" young tourists visiting the biggest town on one of the most popular southern Croatian islands.

"They are vomiting in town, urinating on every corner, walking without T-shirts ... crawling around, unconscious," Novak told local media in June announcing measures to change such habits.

"Young tourists are welcome, but they will have to learn how to behave here."

His reactions were sparked also by articles in British tabloids which described the Croatian island destination as a "place of Sodom and Gomorrah."

Last month the mayor of Novalja, on the northern island of Pag, also complained about young mostly British tourists visiting his town.

Mayor Ante Dabo warned notably against what he called their "primitivism, nakedness and drunkeness."

Like Hvar, Novalja in the past several years has become known as a summer party destination for young tourists.

Tourism is a major industry for Croatia where visitors flock to its stunning Adriatic coast,with more than 1,000 islands and islets.

Last year the Balkan country welcomed nearly 16 million visitors, far outstripping its population of 4.2 million. — AFP