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A restaurant in Lisbon was recently accused of charging tourists more for certain dishes than locals. People living in the city pointed out the ugly phenomenon and reported it to the authorities.
Portugal is one of the most popular summer destinations, receiving an average of 26.5 million tourists per year. Its capital, Lisbon, is chosen by many for its diversity, from the historical parts of the city to the iconic yellow trams to the more modern areas. Not to mention the mouth-watering coastal cuisine that tourists love to explore. However, there is a popular local restaurant that takes advantage of tourists’ curiosity and serves certain dishes at a much higher price than locals pay.
The restaurant is in the Baixa district, and the staff there went out of their way to tell local guests that the higher prices were only for tourists.
Meanwhile, many locals have not taken kindly to the tourist scam and have exposed it, highlighting that waiters have given them the original, lower price privately or on an alternative menu in an inconspicuous or hidden place.
Portuguese newspaper Expresso noted that according to the displayed menu, a steak costs 15 euros, equivalent to 5,900 forints, but Portuguese people only need to pay 9.90 euros, or 3,900 forints, to enjoy the full menu, which includes a drink, dessert, and coffee.
Visitors will not be given such menus
– Elizabeth, one of the restaurant’s regular customers and who works in a nearby jewelry store, told the newspaper. “The waiter offered an international menu to tourists, but the prices were beyond our reach.”
The Rua Augusta Arch in the Baixa district of Lisbon. (Photo: Matteo Colombo/Getty Images Hungary)
Industry insiders told the newspaper that such behavior is “totally illegal”. Lawyer Marcelino Abreu said restaurants cannot discriminate based on nationality and charge different prices to Portuguese and foreign tourists. The Portuguese Association of Hotels, Restaurants and Similar Establishments (AHRESP) claims to know nothing about the situation and draws attention to its general guidelines, according to which restaurant prices must be the same for everyone and must be displayed with “full transparency”.
By the way, in Lisbon, from September 1, the nightly accommodation costs for travelers will increase, because, as in several Spanish cities, the locals here are satisfied with the level of tourism, which has had a negative impact on their quality of life and housing situation. Demonstrations have been held in many parts of both countries over the past period of time, and in Lisbon they are also collecting signatures to launch a referendum on what to do with properties owned by foreign tourists that are used as holiday rentals. The petition has a lot of signatures, so the case can be submitted to the city council.
(Cover photo: A waitress hands a bill to a customer. Illustration: Getty Images)
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