In an attempt to curb the overwhelming impact of mass tourism on Venice, the Italian city is set to enforce new regulations, including a ban on loudspeakers and limiting tourist groups to a

maximum of 25 people, effective from June.

The city authorities cited that the use of loudspeakers often creates confusion and disturbances among residents and visitors alike. This initiative aims to enhance the management of large groups navigating the historic center.

Venice, occupying a mere 7.6 square kilometers, saw almost 13 million tourists in 2019. With expectations of a surge in visitor numbers post-pandemic, concerns about overtourism have intensified, prompting the decision for stricter regulations.

The shift in policies reflects the growing concern among residents about the impact of tourism on the city's delicate balance. The exodus of locals from Venice has been a growing trend, mainly due to fears of being overwhelmed by tourists.

Efforts to monitor accommodation availability have revealed a stark disproportion in favor of tourists, with over 50,000 beds allocated for visitors, outnumbering those for locals. This discrepancy has sparked concern and initiated studies on how to balance the accommodation for residents and tourists.

Venice's situation has drawn attention from global organizations like Unesco, which previously contemplated listing the city as a world heritage site in danger due to climate change effects and mass tourism. Although the city was not included in the list, concerns remain about its vulnerability to these challenges.

Various other European destinations, including Florence and Rome in Italy, Athens in Greece, and Hallstatt in Austria, have implemented diverse measures to tackle over-tourism. These initiatives range from regulating accommodations and visitor numbers to controlling specific tourist behaviors in sensitive areas. Photo by gnuckx, Wikimedia commons.