The recent abuse of some young Belgian tourists who jumped off the San Marco bridge in the lower canal has exacerbated the patience of the local authorities who are seriously studying a plan to contain the flow of tourists into Venice. The issue of closed-end tourism returns to the fore in a summer where the indicators detect growth of tourists in the main cities of art and symbols of Italy.

Among the solutions conceived by the responsible authorities, the proposal to install turnstiles in certain areas to restrict access was rejected, as well as to apply a ticket to curb the “bite and run” (day visitors) tourism to Venice and Florence.

Among the solutions proposed to preserve the territory and economic interests, it has been suggested to regulate flows through information, awareness raising, and programming actions.

The regional secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural and Tourism activities for Veneto suggested solutions for Venice: “Ticket is not considered. The extra cost of waste for tourists amounts to many millions. The bed and breakfast and the tourist accommodations must be charged a tourist tax. The turnstile idea is repulsive, it is necessary to limit the maximum crowding in the Marcian area with technological information tools.”

“Then, the only viable route is the seasonalization, the diversification of tourist experiences through the proposal to make the rest of the national tourist heritage known.”

Florence adoption of Venice proposals

The suggested solution to be adopted by Venice is the road that seems intent on following the municipal administration of Florence. “Florence is very different from Venice – it is difficult to forbid transit to people in certain public areas of the center without the risk of confusing workers, residents, visitors. However, it is necessary for Florence to devise ideas to prevent what is happening in Venice. Bite and run tourism is the number one enemy for Florence as well.”

Alternative solutions for Florence have been entrusted to the Palazzo Vecchio studio and include tickets for museums, entrance tickets in the municipal galleries (including the Palazzo Vecchio) at a variable rate, according to timetables and moments of the year to disincentive the “excessive influx of tourists” that occurs at certain times, and always in view of a decongestion of the central area.
The Mayor announced another initiative: “We had an interview with Ataf (the city public transport company) to activate a shuttle tour of architectural treasures available on the hills around Florence: Forte Belvedere, Villa Bardini, Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato basilica, to promote tourism outside the historic center.”

Time will tell which initiatives may work on controlling the masses.