Starting April 25, a fee of 5 euros will be charged for entering the city
Venice, one of the cities in Italy where the effects of mass tourism are most noticeable, has banned tourist groups of more than 25 people and the use of megaphones.
The decision taken by the Municipality of Venice will be implemented from June 1, 2024. The municipality announced that the decision is aimed at “promoting sustainable tourism” and at the same time “protecting the residents of the city.”
Tourist groups of more than 25 people will not be allowed to explore the historical center of Venice, as well as the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Currently, the city’s municipal museums have a limit of 25 people. This number corresponds to about half the capacity of standard tourist buses.
Hands-free navigation services such as megaphones were also banned on the grounds that they caused “confusion and anxiety.”
Acceptance of applications for the traffic fee will begin in April
The long-discussed practice of steps in Venice will begin testing in April 2024. From April 25, a fee of 5 euros will be charged for one-day entry into the city during peak hours. The trial period will be held on weekends and will last a total of 29 days. The entrance fee will be mandatory from 8.30 to 16.00 during the day.
The entrance fee is not charged to residents of hotels and accommodation facilities in the city. The municipality also collects taxes for each day of stay in these institutions.
Under the influence of such measures, Venice was not included in the UNESCO Endangered Heritage List this year.
However, the associations created by the residents of the city emphasize that charging an entrance fee will not solve the problem, and the number of tourists is not regulated. There are also those who claim that charging entrance fees brings the city closer to an “amusement park.”
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said that with these steps they aim to “make the city more livable for its residents and those who work here.”
“Since the 1950s, people have continued to say that Venice is a dying city. We repeat once again that Venice is a living city and will continue to be open to tourists from all over the world who come to visit it,” Brugnaro said.
Venice’s latest measures demonstrate an active approach to solving problems related to mass tourism. By limiting the size of groups, prohibiting destructive actions and introducing fees for visitors, the city seeks to find a balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the preservation of its cultural and ecological integrity. These efforts are consistent with global calls for responsible tourism and the protection of UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
