The Vltava River is inextricably linked to the capital and has already become famous for Smetana’s symphonic poem The Vltava. Today, however, it is not only an iconic backdrop between the Old Town and the Lesser Town. The Vltava River is one of the most important public spaces in Prague, around which thousands of people move every day and a similar number of visitors and locals sail on the river. The topic of the cleanliness of the river and its surroundings, as well as the issue of sustainability of river transport and tourism, has long been associated with the high concentration of tourists and residents.
Prague Boats, one of the main operators of cruises on the Vltava River, does not answer these questions with a project or campaign. Electrification of the fleet, care for the greenery by the river and consideration for the people of Prague — this is not an initiative with a name, it is simply their way of thinking about how to do things right. The aim is to show that sustainable river tourism can work in harmony with the daily lives of local residents.
Prague does not have to look for inspiration abroad. It can develop its operationally proven example on its own, thus becoming a European example of sustainability and a leader in responsible river tourism.
Already today, there is a fleet of electric catamarans and smaller boats on the surface, which, in addition to comfort and capacity for their guests, also have lower energy consumption compared to traditional vessels and ensure local emission-free operation. Every year, Prague Boats transports almost a million passengers. More than 600,000 of them sail on electric boats. When you imagine how many emissions would be generated if the same number of people traveled on ships with an internal combustion engine, the number speaks for itself.
For the inhabitants of the banks of the Vltava River, as well as its waters, the minimum noise and significantly lower vibrations emitted by these vessels are also important. In addition, the energy that powers the ships is largely generated by the company itself using solar panels located directly on ships and piers. The project also includes the cultivation and greening of the wharf spaces. A special chapter is the green pontoons, which evoke floating oases. They provide shade, a nice place to relax by the water, and are accessible to everyone — whether you’re just sailing on a boat or just looking for a quiet place to sit. So far, Prague Boats has planted over 200,000 trees, shrubs and plants in Prague, its surroundings and directly on pontoons. On hot summer days, this greenery can cool the surroundings of the river by up to 2-3 degrees Celsius.
Even bad weather does not have to discourage you and the beauty of Prague can be enjoyed on the Vltava River and from inside the glass spaces nicely dry. Smaller electric boats operate cruises to the nooks and crannies of the Vltava River, which have their own special mystery, a very popular one is the cruise to Čertovka. In addition, most of the electric part of the Prague Boats fleet can be booked for private events and thus enjoy an event full of the beauty of Prague in a sustainable way.
As part of its programs, in addition to sightseeing cruises and gastronomic experiences, Prague Boats also focuses on educating its guests about the history of Prague and the development of river tourism in the capital and its impact on local residents.
Responsibility in tourism does not end with sustainable solutions. Prague Boats tries to educate its guests about the culture and history of the city, the functioning of river transport and the impact of tourism on the lives of local residents.
Their program of activities also includes an entertaining and educational program called Vltava Tells, which takes place at a cultural monument, the steamship Vyšehrad. This program is primarily intended for elementary school children, but it can also be interesting for those who want to learn more about boat tourism and its development or current form in Prague. It presents the connection of history with technical progress and ethical or environmental topics.
Through its activities, Prague Boats shows that even the traditional tourist segment can look for new ways to connect modern technologies, a quality visitor experience and a more responsible approach to the city and its inhabitants. Similar principles of sustainability are also increasingly being applied in the field of event planning and the entire meetings industry.