The city of Venice has been discussing for some time ways to protect the city from overtourism. Authorities announced that in 2022 they will limit the number of tourists on day trips accessing the lagoon city.
Data shows that previously around 100,000 tourists a day strolled the city’s narrow lanes. However, in an attempt to reduce mass tourism, there will be mechanisms to limit the number of tourists allowed into the city.
But in a few weeks, it will no longer be possible to visit Venice freely.
Book tickets online
In 2022, travellers will only be able to visit the city once they have booked their €5 tickets online. The tickets will be valid for one day only, with the aim of limiting the number of entries.
“The aim is to discourage one-day tourism, hit-and-run tourism, arriving in one day and leaving in the same day, tiring and stressing the city, and encouraging slower tourism instead,” explained Simone Venturini, the city’s deputy mayor for tourism.
Related article: Venice mayor proposes tourist tax
Cameras and mobiles track tourist numbers
Cameras will monitor the flow of visitors and gates will close the main accesses to historic centres. However, residents will be able to move freely around the city.
Furthermore, the police will also be able to establish the identity of people in real-time thanks to mobile phone data.
“If I enter the data in the aggregated anonymous form, we can see exactly who these people are: 977 foreigners, 800 Italians, 135 residents, and 139 commuters,” revealed Maria Teresa Maniero, deputy commander at the Venice Police.
