From August 1, the city of Venice will apply a new regulation, limiting the number of members in each tour group to a maximum of 25 people. This is the latest effort to reduce overcrowding, protect the environment and the quality of life of local people.
Venice will apply new regulations, limiting the number of members in each tour group.
In addition, the use of loudspeakers by tour guides is completely banned. These measures are aimed at creating a quiet environment, minimizing noise and ensuring comfort for both tourists and locals. Those who do not comply with the new regulations will face fines ranging from 25 to 500 euros ($27 to $541).
The rules apply to the city centre of Venice and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. However, there are some exceptions to the rules regarding tourist groups. Children under 2 years old are not included in the group tour, and school groups travelling as part of an extracurricular activity are also exempt.
The pilot program lasted 29 days and ended in July, allowing local authorities to collect data
These measures are not only a response to pressure from growing tourist flows, but also an important step to protect the unique cultural and historical heritage of Venice, a city on water with a famous canal system.
The city government hopes that these measures will help maintain Venice's appeal to tourists, while also protecting living spaces for local residents.
In April this year, Venice became the first city in the world to trial a tourist fee system to ease overcrowding during peak periods. The pilot program lasted just 29 days and ended in July, paving the way for a consultation period to decide how to continue the measure in the future.
