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Venice, the enchanting Italian canal city, has announced measures to tackle the issue of overtourism by limiting the size of tourist groups and banning the use of loudspeakers. Starting from June, groups visiting Venice will be restricted to a maximum of 25 people, or roughly half the capacity of a tourist bus. The city officials also stated that the use of loudspeakers, often used by tour groups, will be prohibited both in the city and on nearby islands.

Elisabetta Pesce, responsible for security in Venice, explained that these policies aim to enhance the movement of groups throughout the historic center as well as the popular islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello. The decision is primarily focused on protecting residents and effectively managing the flow of tourists wandering around the city.

The action taken by authorities in Venice comes after years of efforts to alleviate the pressure of mass tourism. In 2022 alone, 3.2 million people stayed overnight in Venice's historic center, with approximately 30 million visitors arriving each year. Many of these visitors come for just a day, flocking to famous landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square. The continuous influx of tourists has put a strain on the city's infrastructure and has raised concerns about the preservation of its unique heritage.

Venice, known for its extraordinary architectural beauty, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. However, UNESCO has warned about the impact of tourism on the delicate lagoon city, even considering placing it on its list of heritage sites in danger. In response, Venice has implemented various measures to mitigate the effects of tourism. Firstly, it curbed the entry of large cruise ships through the Giudecca canal, rerouting them to an industrial port. Now, the city is introducing a day-tripper charge, where visitors will be charged €5 (£4.30) to enter the historic center. This initiative aims to decrease the number of tourists and provide sustainable solutions.

Venetians, concerned about the negative consequences of mass tourism, have held several protests in recent years. The tourism industry has been blamed for eroding their quality of life, damaging the environment, and causing a decline in the local population. Currently, the number of beds available to tourists on Venice's main island has surpassed the number of year-round residents. Last autumn, there were reported to be 49,693 tourist beds across hotels and rented holiday homes, compared to 49,304 inhabitants.

While there was a temporary decrease in visitor numbers due to severe flooding in 2019 and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Venice experienced a surge in tourism last summer. On peak days, an average of 40,000 day-trippers flood into the city, overwhelming its fragile infrastructure.

The new regulations set by Venice, limiting the size of tourist groups and banning loudspeakers, aim to alleviate the strain of overtourism and ensure the protection and safety of the city. These measures seek to promote sustainable tourism and strike a balance between preserving Venice's unique heritage and providing an enjoyable experience for both residents and visitors.