Starting Thursday, Venice will implement new restrictions aimed at reducing the impact of mass tourism on the city. Tourist parties will be limited to 25 people, and the use of loudspeakers by guides will be banned. These measures are designed to protect the peace of residents and ensure pedestrians can move around more freely.
Fines ranging from €25-500 will be imposed on those who do not comply with the new restrictions. Originally planned for June, the measures were postponed until August. The restrictions cover the city center and the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
Venice recently conducted a pilot scheme to limit tourist numbers by introducing a payment system. The successful experiment, which lasted 29 days, ended in July and is now under consultation for future implementation. This initiative has been closely watched by other European tourist destinations facing similar challenges with overcrowding.
While the new regulations apply to most tourist groups, there are exemptions for children under two years old and visiting students on educational trips. These measures aim to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the city’s unique heritage and way of life.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
