Because the Old City is home to the major tourist sites, it is also home to lots of tourist shops and restaurants. Most of the restaurants and some of the shops have touts out in front.
Though it sounds terrible, it's not unpleasant. The touts are not pushy -- some are funny and charming. And, one thing you can count on in tourist areas is that they will have a selection of what tourists need -- here, lots of hotels, restaurants, and English.
