Swiss town bans photography to save you from the social media blues

  • 02/06/2017

A town in Switzerland, the spectacular mountainous country in central Europe known for its cheese, chocolate and pocket knives, has taken a stand against the popular new habit of photographing everything, and banned people from taking snaps of its beautiful region.

Photography ban
The photography ban sign on the Bergun website (berguen-filisur.ch)

The village of Bergün/Bravuogn banned photography of its landscape after the decision was made at a town meeting.

"It is scientifically proven that beautiful holiday photos on social media make the viewer unhappy because [viewers] cannot be there," a translation of the statement on the town's website says.

The town's Mayor Peter Nicolay says they don't want to make people unhappy from seeing photos of Bergün/Bravuogn, and invite people to visit the beautiful place to experience it for themselves.

In what is clearly a great marketing idea, votes for the ban were 46 to two.

Those who are caught taking photos in the town could face a fine of five Swiss Francs.

However, since the story emerged, Mr Nicolay has presented a friendly video on Facebook, saying: "Of course we understand that everyone wants to take photos here. Why? Our village is so beautiful that it's nearly impossible to take a holiday photo that isn't beautiful."

So they have a solution he says. Visitors with a camera will be given a "friendly special permit" to snap away. 

"But you have to think carefully, before you post the photos online. Hopefully nobody will be unhappy because they can't be here right now."

Newshub.