We’ve known for a long time that Venice is sinking, and perhaps that’s why the ironically nicknamed ‘floating city’ attracts as many visitors as it does –there’s only so much time to experience the Italian city’s Venetian gothic streets, gondolas, gelato, and wonderful world-class attractions.
But we’ve also known for a while that Venice is struggling under the weight of all its excited visitors. In August, Unesco announced it was considering Venice for a place on its endangered list, and in September, details of its new tourist tax, designed to curb the number of day visitors, were confirmed.
And with a new year comes a new restriction. From June, groups of tourists visiting Venice will be limited to a maximum of 25 people, or around half the capacity of a tourist bus. A ban on the use of loudspeakers will also come into play, as they cause ‘confusion and disturbances’, according to city officials.
While it might sound like the city is getting a bit strict, it’s all to help Venice run a little bit smoother. Elisabetta Pesce, who’s in charge of the city’s security, said these restrictions should improve the movement of crowds in the city.
According to Sky News, one gondola was so packed with tourists that those aboard who were trying to take selfies ended up flipping the boat. And the streets can get busy too – given that Venice is practically made up of little lanes, what’s the harm in managing congestion?
While Venice is trying to curb tourist numbers, it is by no means the only place doing so. Here is our list of all the destinations implementing tourist restrictions.
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