A city that behaves like a museum: entry ticket in Venice

  CONTEXT

The lagoon of Venice has been in the centre of the tourism discussion lately. In 2023 almost 4 million tourists entered the small area of the historic centre: only 9 km². Its surface couldn’t handle the masses of international tourists coming to visit the city anymore. From 25th April 2024, an access fee of 5€ (for tourists who don’t spend the night within the city area) has been introduced to fight the tourist flow and generate income to protect the area.

INTERESTING FACTS

• Even though the entrance ticket, the flow hasn’t decreased, actually between 25 April and 5 May 2024 have been registered 747.387 accesses, almost 70.000 more than the same period in 2023.

• Beside the economic positive effects, the new policy hasn’t brought any other of the expected changes. It has been partially a flop, but in 2025 will take place the second phase of experimentation: the price will vary from 5 to 10€ € according to the advance you reserve your entry; and the days in which the ticket will be needed will grow from 29 to 56.
   

REFLECTION/QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE

1. How could the “Serenissima” fight overtourism efficiently? The municipality has wondered how to conciliate the relation between hosts and guests, whose interaction has become a fight.
2. People have also questioned themself if having to pay to access a city is actually ethical or it is a form of restriction of freedom. What do you think about it?
3. Considering the small area on which the city is located, maybe it would be better to determine a maximum daily quantity of tourists than having them paying a fee. What’s sure is that the governments should act relatively quickly, as the lagoon may suffer from irreversible effects, both social, environmental and geological. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY/ RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• Annuario del turismo. Città di Venezia.

• Venezia, il ticket rende bene ma resta il problema dell’overtourism
  

Face of a Nation: Plastic Surgery and Medical Tourism in Korea

  CONTEXT

South Korea has gained global attention as a leading destination for medical tourism, especially in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery. With world-class doctors, cutting-edge technology, and affordable prices, thousands of international visitors—especially from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and even the Middle East and the US—travel to Korea for procedures. This trend is not only shaping individual appearances but also influencing Korea’s tourism economy and global image.

INTERESTING FACTS

• South Korea has the world’s highest number of plastic surgery procedures per capita. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, over 1 million procedures are performed annually.

• Seoul’s Gangnam district is home to hundreds of clinics. Streets like Apgujeong Rodeo are packed with multilingual signs, beauty consultants, and luxurious recovery hotels that cater specifically to international patients.

• Some travel agencies offer full packages that include airport pickup, surgery, interpretation services, hotel stays, and post-surgery recovery tours. These packages are often marketed with the slogan “Transform your life in Korea.”

• The popularity of Korean celebrities with idealized facial features has contributed to a boom in procedures like double eyelid surgery, jaw reshaping, and rhinoplasty. Fans often request to “look like their favorite idol.”

• The Korean government actively promotes medical tourism as part of its soft power strategy. In 2023 alone, over 180,000 foreign patients visited for beauty-related treatments, according to Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).

• Despite the success, critics question whether this industry reinforces unrealistic beauty standards, psychological pressure, and even body dysmorphia—especially among youth.

REFLECTION/QUESTIONS FOR DEBATE

1. Is it empowering for people to alter their appearance through surgery, or does it reflect deeper social pressure and conformity?

2. Can a nation promote health tourism while still protecting people from the psychological risks associated with beauty obsession?

BIBLIOGRAPHY/ RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• Holliday, R., Cheung, O., Cho, J.H. & Bell, D. (2017). Trading faces: The ‘Korean Look’ and medical nationalism in South Korean cosmetic surgery tourism. Scientific article. https://doi/10.1111/apv.12154