Famous for operating almost entirely on the water, Venice is one of the most visited cities in Italy . But it isn’t all roses: tourism is an endless topic of debate in the region, with it’s new entry fee causing controversy among locals and visitors like. And now, it’s imposed yet more rules for those who want to experience the city: guided groups travelling to the World Heritage Site , as well as the nearby islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello, will be limited to a maximum of 25 people.
For perspective, this is approximately half the capacity of a standard tour bus, which typically accommodates around 50 passengers. The rule aims to cut down pedestrian traffic in immensely popular areas such as Piazza San Marco and Murano’s Via del Giudecca, with loudspeakers, which generate ‘confusion and disturbances,’ according to the city, also banned. Venice, which is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region in the north, is visited by millions of tourists each year – an estimated 30 million, to be exact.
And yet, only around 260,000 people call it their permanent home, meaning that visitors far outnumber locals, many of whom are increasingly dissatisfied with the culture of over-tourism. Last year, one Reddit thread lent itself to this very debate after one user by the name of @OnionAdmirable7353 wrote: ‘Too many tourists this summer?’ in the Venice thread . ‘I live an hour away, and it’s terrible what the local residents must endure on a daily basis.
Something ha.