STRICT new rules could affect your European city break this summer, with one destination in particular keen to reduce the number of tourists.
An average of around 25 million people visit the Italian city of Venice every single year, which local officials feel is far too many.
The popular city break destination has imposed new measures, which will ban tour groups of more than 25 people.
It is hoped that the new ban will reduce the number of people heading into the city each day.
While it was originally meant to come into force on June 1, 2024, the new measure was delayed by two months.
The ban will instead impact tour groups from today, (Thursday, August 1, 2024).
Loudspeakers have also been banned in the city, because officials claim that they cause both “confusion and disturbances”.
The loudspeakers are often used by tour guides to communicate with their tour groups, who they lead through the narrow streets and bridges throughout the canal city.
The measures were first announced back in December with officials saying they wanted to improve life for residents in the city.
At that time, Simone Venturini, the city’s councillor for tourism, said: “We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents.
“We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days.”
The new rules will also apply to the nearby islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello, which are easily reached by boat from Venice.
Earlier this year, Venice trialled a day-tripper entry fee on select dates throughout the summer.
The levy was not applied to people staying in hotels in, who are already charged a lodging tax.
Exemptions also applied to children under 14, residents of the region, students, workers and people visiting relatives, among others.
While the pilot scheme ended last month, it raised more than €2m (£1.6m), leaving city officials keen to extend the levy.
Officials claim that the money will be used for essential services, which cost more in a city mostly made up of canals, including litter removal and maintenance.
Despite it being labelled ineffective and a failure, the city’s top tourism official, Simone Venturini, has said it will not only be continued, but likely increased in the future.
Proposals are in place to double the fee to (€10 £8.45) and are being considered for next year, a city spokesman said.
Officials promised steep fines for anyone flouting the rules, but in the end none were issued at any of the various checks at entry points.
Meanwhile, this popular tourist destination is also planning to increase its daily tourist charge.
And this UK seaside town became the first to tax tourists this year.
