VENICE: New regulations have been implemented in Italy’s Venice, including a ban on loudspeakers and a cap on tour group sizes at 25 people.
Officials have introduced these measures to mitigate the effects of over-tourism in the Italian city, which boasts the famous canals of its historic quarter and ranks among Europe’s most popular destinations.
Earlier this year, Venice also instated a €5 (£4) daily entry fee and prohibited cruise ships from docking in the quarter, actions aimed at managing the influx of visitors. Despite a decline in tourist numbers following the pandemic, projections suggest they will surpass pre-pandemic levels in the near future.
Concerns over over-tourism have prompted an exodus of local residents, fearing the city’s infrastructure may be overwhelmed. Recent reports from Ocio, a citizens’ association focused on housing, indicate that the historic quarter offers approximately 49,000 beds for tourists—more than the available accommodations for residents.
These regulatory changes follow warnings from UNESCO experts last year, highlighting Venice’s vulnerability to climate change and the pressures of mass tourism, which could lead to irreversible alterations.
While there was consideration to list Venice as a world heritage site in danger, the UN cultural body did not add it to the list in the end, after acknowledging efforts to combat flooding and reduce the impacts of mass tourism on the island.
