Venice has announced new measures to limit the size of tourist parties to 25 people starting from Thursday in an effort to reduce the impact of overcrowding on the city. The local authorities will also ban the use of loudspeakers by tourist guides in order to protect the peace of residents and ensure easier movement for pedestrians. Fines ranging from €25-500 will be imposed on those who do not comply with the new rules, which were initially planned to take effect in June but have been delayed until August.
The restrictions will apply to the city center as well as the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. In addition to these measures, Venice recently completed a pilot scheme aimed at limiting tourist numbers by using QR codes at the main train station.
Back in April, Venice made headlines as the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for visitors as a way to discourage daytrippers from coming during peak times. The pilot scheme, which ran for 29 days and ended in July, is now under consultation to decide its future.
There are exemptions to the new rules, with children under two years old not included in the count of 25 and educational trips being exempt from the limit. These measures are part of Venice’s ongoing efforts to manage tourist crowds and protect the city’s unique environment and residents.
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