Venice to control its burgeoning tourist traffic

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The picturesque Italian city of Venice, known for its stunning canals and historic charm, is gearing up for a bold experiment aimed at curbing over-tourism.

In an effort to regain control over its burgeoning visitor numbers, the city is expected to approve a trial phase of a €5 (approximately $5.37) daily fee for all visitors aged 14 and above on Tuesday (September 12).

This move will also require tourists to book their entry to the city in advance.

Battle with excess tourism

Venice is grappling with the consequences of its immense popularity among tourists. In 2019, despite its small size of just 7.6 square kilometres (2.7 square miles), the city welcomed nearly 13 million tourists, as reported by the Italian National Statistics Institute.

With visitor numbers projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in the coming years, the problem of over-tourism has reached critical levels.

The primary objective of the proposed fee is to encourage daily tourists to opt for off-peak days, thereby alleviating the strain on the city’s infrastructure and resources.

Earlier this year, UNESCO recommended placing Venice on its list of world heritage sites in danger.

The city faces a dual threat from climate change and mass tourism, which have the potential to cause irreversible changes to its delicate ecosystem and historical fabric.

In 2021, Venice banned large cruise ships from entering its historic centre via the Giudecca canal following a ship collision with a harbour.

Critics argued that these ships not only posed a pollution threat but also contributed to the erosion of the city’s foundations, compounded by frequent flooding.

Beyond the fee, Venice faces the complex challenge of striking a balance between preserving its cultural heritage and accommodating tourists while safeguarding the well-being of its residents.

Rising rents and an imbalance in accommodations between tourists and residents are driving locals out of the city, leading to a transformation from a city into a temporary tourist destination.

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