30 million. This is the number of tourists who visit Venice each year. Faced with this mass tourism, the 55,000 inhabitants of the lagoon, environmentalists and heritage lovers redouble their energy to stem the flow of visitors and preserve their city. The latest success: the ban on cruise ships weighing over 25,000 tonnes in the Giudecca Canal, one of the two main shipping lanes on the outskirts of Saint Mark's Square. But the measure, effective since August 1, seems to be only a first step in the desire to regulate tourist attendance.
This is indeed what Laura Berlinghieri, journalist for the Italian daily
La Stampa
,
revealed
in an August 21 article.
From summer 2022, the Serenissima will become chargeable.
The price: between 3 and 10 € (depending on the season) to visit the historic center and the canals.
A way for the authorities to know the number of visitors who enter the lagoon each day, thanks to the installation of electronic turnstiles at the various entry points.
We discussed it in detail with Simone Venturini, Tourism Advisor at the Municipality of Venice.
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LE FIGARO. - Does the reservation system ultimately aim to limit the number of visitors allowed to enter the lagoon?
Simone VENTURINI.
- There has long been talk of an access contribution as a tool for managing flows in Venice.
We cannot set a maximum quota of authorized visitors, the law does not allow this.
But thanks to flexible and dynamic pricing, we will be able to advise tourists to avoid certain periods, such as Carnival or Easter.
The amount set was intentionally low, because money is not the subject.
Everything that will be collected will also be reinvested in transport, cleanliness, safety ... to offer the best possible experience to travelers, while protecting the quality of life of the inhabitants.
We cannot stand idly by in the face of this over-tourism which threatens our City.
Simone venturini
Do you hope to change the typology of tourism in this way?
Absolutely.
We don't want people to stop visiting Venice, on the contrary.
We want them to stay longer, ideally three or four days.
This is why this tax will be reserved for day visitors.
Residents and their relatives, children under six and people staying in local hotels will be exempt.
The city deserves much more than a “fast food” approach.
This limitation will also be beneficial for restaurateurs and hoteliers.
Simone Venturini, Tourism Advisor at the Municipality of Venice.
Simone Venturini / Facebook account
When will this measure be applied?
The introduction of this provision has been postponed several times because it is complex in its articulation and application. Then the Covid happened and there were other priorities. The resumption of activity has placed the subject at the heart of the discussions, without a precise date of application having been set for the summer of 2022. We are subject to criticism from those who think that we are going to transform Venice into Disneyland. It is a risk, as we know, but the young generation is watching us and we cannot sit idly by in the face of this over-tourism which threatens our City.
