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
- 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.
- 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?
- 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
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