The Italian city of Venice, which will start charging tourists for entry to the city in April 2024, has decided to introduce additional restrictions for visitors.
As The Associated Press writes concerning the statement of the city authorities, starting in June 2024, tourist groups will be limited to 25 people, which is about half the capacity of a tourist bus. In addition, the use of loudspeakers will be prohibited on city streets.
City officials say the new policy is aimed at improving conditions for groups to travel through the historic center of Venice, as well as through the frequently visited islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
How Venice is fighting over-tourism
Venice has long been one of the most popular cities in the world among tourists, which creates inconvenience both for the guests themselves, who are forced to stand in huge queues and crowd at popular locations, and for residents, who have long forgotten what a quiet life is. As a result, for several years, the local authorities have been actively fighting against excessive tourism, introducing new and new restrictions.
Of course, the loudest of them was the introduction of an entry fee for tourists in the spring of 2024. How it will work, read at the link.
But this is far from the only restriction for tourists that operates in Venice. For example, from August 2021, cruise liners were banned from entering the center of Venice. This not only reduced the number of tourists in one day in the city but also significantly improved the ecological situation.
In addition, Venice has introduced a limit on the number of people who can get on a gondola. It is also forbidden for people to move on the boat while it is moving – otherwise, it may capsize.