Venice to limit large groups to 25 in latest bid to curb overtourism
Venice is set to introduce new limits on the size of tourist groups as part of its ongoing bid to curb overtourism.
The city council has announced that it will ban visitor groups bigger than 25 people – half the size of an average tourist bus – as well as the use of speakers and microphones from 1 June 2024.
As part of the new measures, not only will big groups be banned from the city centre, but they will also be barred from heading to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
According to councillor Elisabetta Pesce, curbing tourist numbers will promote “sustainable tourism while ensuring the city’s safety”.
“It’s part of a wider set of measures to improve tourism in Venice and guarantee a better balance between the needs of residents and those of visitors,” added councillor Simone Venturini.
It comes after the canal city announced in September the introduction of a €5 (£4.30) fee for daily visitors, which is due to come into effect from 25 April.
The tax will be applied on a 30-day trial basis to all daily tourists aged 14 and above, leaving exempted those staying in the city for at least one night.
“We have been hearing for 50 years that Venice is invaded by tourists and, after years of immobility, it’s now time we decided and did something tangible,” tweeted mayor Luigi Brugnaro in mid-September.
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