Venice limits tourist group numbers - 5th February 2024

One of the world’s most iconic tourist destinations has announced new rules for tourists. From June, Venice will prevent tour groups larger than 25 from entering the city centre and nearby islands. The city’s also banning guides from using loudspeakers.

Elisabetta Pesce, the city councillor in charge of security, said the new measures would encourage more responsible tourism.

The 49,000 residents of Venice are often in the minority, with larger numbers of tourists visiting the city, which causes problems. Tourist demand now means that more than half of the city’s beds are available to tourists rather than its own inhabitants.

Although tourism’s vital for the local economy, the effects of ‘overtourism’ hit communities hard. Streets become overcrowded and noise levels rise as large groups of tourists stream into the city. The huge numbers make things like litter a serious problem too.

In recent years, local residents have protested against overtourism several times. Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, understands their frustration. He’s in favour of restrictions and said, “We don’t want the city and the lagoon to be just places for tourists. We won’t allow it."

An average of 40,000 tourists per day visit Venice, which threatens more than just the Venetian lifestyle. UNESCO’s warned that the volume of tourists was putting historic buildings and monuments at risk.

Italy’s government finally blocked cruise ships from accessing the city’s harbour in 2021. Meanwhile, the Venetian authorities have put in place a day visitor Venice Access Tax of 5 euros.