Venitian blindside to tourists - 5th February 2024

New laws aimed at reducing mass tourism’s adverse effects on the residents of Venice have been drafted and sanctioned by the city’s council. Starting in June, the renowned hometown of merchant traveller Marco Polo will be capping tour groups at 25 people and prohibiting all guides from utilising amplification devices in their work, both within the city centre and on popular nearby islands.

Venice’s security councillor, Elisabetta Pesce, has heralded the new measures explaining, “It’s about promoting sustainable tourism and guaranteeing the protection and safety of the city.”

Such is the scale of daily tourism into Venice that the city’s static population of 49,000 has become increasingly outnumbered by sightseers. Furthermore, last September, research by local activist group Venessia.com revealed that the quantity of tourist beds surpassed that available to Venetians by 49,693 to 49,304.

Frustration over the constant crush from tour groups crowding Venetian streets, the noise pollution and unchecked littering’s spilled over into protest, with many local residents demanding more protections for their quality of life, the environment and Venetian culture.

Heeding these calls, the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, announced, “We don’t want the city and the lagoon to be just places for tourists. We won’t allow it.”

Steps have already been taken to curtail mass tourism, including blocking cruise ships’ access to the city’s port and approving a Venice Access Tax which, from 2025, will see daytrippers each charged 5 euros .

Weighed against the financial benefits, the cultural impact of welcoming an average of 40,000 visitors per day may be too great, entwining the sights and sounds of Venice with its bulging tour groups. These pressures have led UNESCO to voice serious concern for the survival of its historic landmarks.

Despite its history as an essential stop on the Grand Tour and status as a modern bucket list destination, more sustainable tourism’s required to ensure Venice is preserved for future generations.

While sustainability experts would recommend avoiding Venice and other oversubscribed destinations altogether, should the longing prove too strong, visiting in the off season may be the compromise that still provides a glimpse of the iconic Campanile.