No loudspeakers and tour groups of more than 25 people: Venice introduces new measures against mass tourism.
Venice has taken a new course in the fight against the effects of mass tourism. As the BBC reports, new regulations have come into force that ban loudspeakers and limit group sizes for guided tours to a maximum of 25 people.
Venice’s historic canals make the city one of the most visited places in Europe, according to the BBC. To accommodate this popularity while protecting the cultural heritage, a daily entrance fee of 5 euros was introduced at the beginning of 2024.
The oversupply of tourist infrastructure is putting a strain on the city’s balance, the BBC continues. The civic association Ocio recently published data showing that there are around 49,000 tourist beds in the old town – a larger number than the beds available to residents.
Venice has only around 250,000 inhabitants, but recorded over 13 million visitors in 2019. After a decline during the pandemic, an increase to previous visitor levels is now expected.
UNESCO experts warned last year that Venice could be placed on the list of endangered world heritage sites due to the effects of climate change and mass tourism. Despite these concerns, the UN cultural organization recognizes the city’s efforts to solve its problems through an anti-flooding system and measures to reduce mass tourism.
Nevertheless, Venice is facing the massive challenges of climate change. “Zero Hour Climate Change” reports on research by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) and the Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, which shows that rising sea levels, extreme waves and storm surges pose significant risks for the coastal city. The study particularly highlights the increase in erosion on Venice’s coastline and the expected deterioration in water quality due to climate change.
Venice experienced its second worst flood in history in November 2019, followed by four other exceptional floods within just six weeks. A study by the European Geosciences Union indicates that sea levels in Venice could rise by 120 centimeters by the end of the century – 50 percent more than the global average predicted by the UN scientific panel.
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