Venice

A case study of over-tourism?

On Thursday 25^th April 2024, Venice implemented the world’s first tourist entry fee to curb mass tourism and make the city more liveable for its residents. The fee is €5 for each day that day trippers visit the city. Visitors arriving between 8.30am and 4.00pm will be charged the fee at certain entry point locations across the city and neighbouring islands. Access is free outside these times. The charge does not apply to those staying in the city overnight – their tax will be added to their hotel bill. They are also provided with a QR code to re-enter the city should they leave it during the day.

I produced a powerpoint for Geography Review on the tourist issue facing Venice in November 2023. Here are the main elements of that ppt.:

·       Venice consists of a series of islands in the northern Adriatic Sea.

·       It is connected to the Italian mainland by a causeway along which there is a road and a railway line. These connect the city to Mestre and Venice’s airport (Figure 1).

·       Many tourists also visit the city by cruise ship.

Figure 1. Venice from the air

·       There are 20 million visitors annually.

·       Peak visitor days see 120,000 visitors arriving compared to the 55,000 residents.

·       These visitors are the outcome of low-cost aviation, cruise ships, and home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb.

·       There are also many day trippers who don’t contribute significantly to the local economy.

·       Overcrowded landmarks, such as St Mark’s Square (Figure 2), the Rialto Bridge & the Doge’s Palace are suffering wear and tear.

·       The local economy has become skewed towards tourism.

·       There has been depopulation of locals due to a lack of non-tourism-related jobs and high rental prices.

·       Many state that Venice’s character and essence are being diluted/destroyed.

Figure 2. St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

·       There is now a ban (since 2021) on cruise ships over 55,000 tonnes in certain areas of the lagoon (St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal).

·       Turnstiles at several major landmarks have been introduced.

·       There are fines for inappropriate behaviour.

·       A Venice Tourist Tax is being introduced (see introduction). Day visitors will be required to pay 5 Euros to visit the city. This tax will be in effect for 30 non-consecutive days, primarily during long weekends in the spring and weekends in the summer.

·       Overnight travellers will be exempt from this tax but are subject to a separate tourist tax introduced in 2011. The overnight travellers’ tax ranges from 1 to 5 Euros per person per night for the first five nights.

Advice from the tourist board to tourists visiting the city (to be more sustainable):

1. Off-Peak Visits: Consider visiting Venice during the less busy seasons. Fewer crowds mean a more authentic experience and less strain on local resources.

2. Stay Local: Opt for locally owned accommodation vis-a-vis large hotel chains or Airbnb rentals that drive up property prices for residents.

3. Spend Wisely: Invest in the local economy by dining at local restaurants, shopping at local markets, and hiring local guides.

4. Mindful Movement: Avoid cruise ships and consider arriving by train or eco-friendly modes of transport. Once there, walk or use public vaporettos rather than private water taxis.

5. Cultural Respect: Learn a few basic phrases in Italian, understand local customs, and respect public spaces. No picnicking on bridges or swimming in canals (the latter has a heavy fine).

6. Low-Impact Exploration: Stick to the less-trodden paths. Visit lesser-known landmarks and neighbourhoods to spread the tourist load.

7. Sustainable Souvenirs: Buy locally made crafts and products rather than mass-produced trinkets. Consider Murano glass or Burano lace. (Murano and Burano are other islands in the lagoon)

8. Leave No Trace: Dispose of your waste properly. Venice has a fragile ecosystem that is easily disrupted by litter.

9. Educate Yourself: Before you go, read up on Venice’s history, culture, and the challenges it faces. Knowledge is the first step toward empathy and responsible action.

10. Advocate and Share: Use your social media platforms to educate others about responsible travel. Your influence can make a difference.

11. Support Local Initiatives: Contribute to local organisations that work to preserve Venice’s cultural and natural heritage.

12. Be Mindful of Photography: Respect people’s privacy and property when taking photos. Not everything needs to be Instagrammed.

Figure 3. The Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge