Venice tightens tourist rules, banning tour groups above 25

Gondolas moored in Grand Canal. Venice, Veneto, Italy

It’s bad news for large groups of tourists visiting the Italian city of Venice. After restricting the size of the ships allowed to visit the city, Venice is now banning megaphones and limiting tour groups to 25 people.

Coming into effect this week groups of more than 25 will no longer be allowed to tour the city. Megaphones and loudspeakers have also been banned with officials saying they cause “confusion and disturbances”.

This year, Venice introduced a tourist tax designed to prevent overtourism during its peak seasons. It was initially meant to be introduced on the 1 June but was delayed by two months.

Venice to ban large cruise ships after UNESCO threatens to “blacklist” city

Venice only has a population of 50,000 permanent residents but during the high season the city will get more than double as many tourists. It is estimated that as many as 25 million tourists visit the city each year.

This large amounts of tourists, especially those coming in off cruise ships, have been causing problems and upsetting locals for years.

When the tax was introduced Venice tourism councillor Simone Venturini said that the aim is to find “a new balance between the rights of those who live, study or work in Venice and those who visit the city.”

Stepping foot in Venice? $8 please!

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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