Venice Tourism Controls to Fight Overtourism
One of the fabulous destinations to visit while on an ocean cruise is Venice, Italy – I can remember my first trip there with my husband for our 20th anniversary. There’s been a lot going on in the travel industry in the last few years regarding overtourism in a number of cities, such as Barcelona and Santorini, and that definitely affects some of the cruise options in Venice. I thought I would share some of the issues and controls there as an example of a city that is trying to balance their fragile ecosystem with the needs of travelers…
Venice Tourism Controls to Fight Overtourism
One of Italy’s, and indeed Europe’s, top travel destinations, Venice has attracted visitors in droves for decades. However, the unique nature of the city makes it particularly vulnerable to damage. The booming tourism industry has placed huge pressure on the city’s infrastructure, environment and culture, prompting authorities to act to protect Venice from overtourism. We’ll talk about some of the measures taken, and how these controls can in fact enhance your visit to the Canal City.
UNESCO’s Warning
Venice is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, thanks to its incredible richness in history, art and culture. In 2023, the organization threatened to place Venice on its World Heritage in Danger list, alongside threatened gems such as the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo and the tropical rainforests of Virunga National Park in DR Congo. This was a symbolic move but also a warning to authorities that action was needed. UNESCO stated that Venice faced “long-standing but urgent issues” that had to be addressed. And addressed they have been, with authorities deploying a multifaceted response to control tourism numbers and protect the city alongside the fragile ecosystem of the Venetian Lagoon.
The Ban on Large Cruise Ships
The most visible and significant change implemented by Venetian authorities is to ban all large cruise ships from entering the Venetian Lagoon, though this change was in place before UNESCO issued its warning.
For decades, gigantic ships had been able to cruise past St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace, which was fantastic for visitors but hugely damaging to the environment. Pollution in the water had long been visible, the ships created waves in the lagoon, and they brought huge numbers of tourists into the city center all in one go, overwhelming the city infrastructure.
Since August 2021, things have been different. No ship over 25,000 tons is permitted to enter the Venice Lagoon. They must instead dock in industrial ports such as Marghera or Trieste and travel by coach to the city, a journey of around one hour. Some cruise companies, such as Royal Caribbean, have uprooted their Venice departures and arrivals to entirely different cities, like Ravenna.
Some smaller ships, such as Azamara, which are just a few feet too long to enter the canal based on the new rules, are able to use some nearby ports that are only about 15 minutes from the Grand Canal. It was interested talking with the Director of Itinerary Planning at Azamara, as they endeavor to use a port that is convenient to the primary sights of Venice, but also make sure that the port itself offers some cultural and local flavor of Italy, so the guests can have a small town Italian experience right there.
Visitor Caps and Ticketing Systems
In 2024, the authorities have gone a step further. Tour groups are now capped at 25 people in the city, and tour guides are banned from using loudspeakers. The city has also introduced a daily fee for tourists who do not stay overnight, in an attempt to discourage day trippers who contribute to Venice’s overcrowding problem but do not make use of its businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants. This fee is 5 euros per day and funds raised are to be used to maintain and protect the city. Like many Italian cities, Venice also has an overnight tourist tax, which ranges from 1 to 5 euros per night, depending on the season and length of stay.
Finally, a reservation system has been put in place for the city’s most popular attractions, including St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. This ensures sites don’t get too overcrowded, by managing the number of visitors at any one time.
Why Visit Venice Now?
On the face of it, these measures may make Venice a less attractive option for travelers. After all, it doesn’t look like the city wants your custom, right? However, if you think about it, these measures should actually improve the tourist experience in Venice.
Implementing a reservations system means that Venice’s most popular sights will be less busy during your visit. You may need to book further in advance, but the attractions will be quieter and far more pleasant to explore. A gondola ride on a canal full of waste and pollution is far less enjoyable than a gondola ride on clean canals, untarnished by cruise ship pollution.
The additional charge for visiting is also likely to put off some day trippers, which means restaurants, cafes and hotels should also be quieter. And local people are less resistant to tourism, now that it is working better for them and not spoiling their city. All of this is making Venice a more pleasant place to explore.
The authorities have not ruled out making further changes, which is why visiting the city now is such a good idea. Venice is more authentic than it has been for years.
Venice is ready for your visit
Venice is uniquely vulnerable to both overtourism and environmental damage, and the authorities had no choice but to act; the alternative was the potential loss of the city. While some may look at these policy changes as a reason not to visit Venice, sustainable tourism continues to be welcomed and encouraged. Furthermore, the changes have helped to make the city more appealing to locals and visitors alike, with a reduction in overcrowding, cultural dilution and environmental damage. So, for a more enjoyable Venice trip than has been possible for decades, now is the time to plan a visit.