Venice’s new rules for tourists: small groups and no loudspeakers

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There is not only Tickets. Manor Venice Bringing another innovation in management Tourist flow: From August 1st, new regulations come into force for tourist guides, who must comply with precise regulations regarding the number of accompanying groups and the means of “communication”. The loudspeakers on the streets are enough, the noise of courses in a thousand languages ​​​​that tell about the beauty of Serenissima, and also prevent countless tourists from following the “guides” holding flags.

Audio guide is required for groups of 10 or more

The new rules came into effect immediately: yesterday, hundreds of people disembarked early in the morning from the “motorboats” anchored at Riva degli Schiavoni, between the Arsenale and the Pier di San Marco. They were mostly North Americans, arriving in the lagoon on large cruise ships, anchored at Fusina, on the far edge of the lagoon. But what awaited them was a special guided tour organized according to the new regulations issued by the Municipal Tourism Department, which limit groups to a maximum of 25 people. They were therefore divided into small groups, each equipped with a miniature radio receiver, since the new regulations forbid the use of loudspeakers by guides (as had been the case until now) and oblige them to provide audio guides for groups of more than ten people.

Councillor: Tourists and residents can coexist better

Venice Tourism Councillor said: “These measures are taken to allow tourists and residents of the city to coexist better.” Simone Venturiniwith the Council of Trade in Piazza San Marco Sebastiano Costalonga The first day of testing. Venturini added: “The government’s commitment is to improve the quality of group tourism in Venice and limit the pressure caused by overcrowding in certain areas, which affects the quality of life of residents and workers”.

Three penalties a day

The new rules also prohibit accompanied groups from parking in places such as bridges or access ramps, which obstructs pedestrian traffic. On the first day, only three fines were issued for groups of more than 25 people. Inspections by city representatives also facilitated on-the-spot dialogue with tour operators, many of whom quickly adapted to the new rules. However, the midday heat could upset the plans of the first “experimenters”. As the sun shone on Piazza San Marco, a small group of tired tourists, mostly elderly, and their companions gathered in the shade of a small tree on the west side of the Doge’s Palace in search of refreshments, creating a temporary traffic jam of tourists. Portico waiting to enter the Doge’s Palace.