Venice, nestled in northeastern Italy, is renowned for its picturesque canals and captivating architecture, often depicted in 'instagrammable' posts as a serene destination. However, a recent visit revealed a different reality. While Venice boasts enchanting wonders that attract tourists eager to explore its unique water-bound streets, the city's charm seems overshadowed by overcrowded streets and the overwhelming impact of mass tourism.
Upon closer observation, it becomes evident that Venice may be losing its once quintessential allure. Overtourism has cast a significant shadow over the city's potential as a premier tourism destination. The constant influx of visitors threatens to diminish the authentic Venetian experience, transforming it into a bustling, crowded hub rather than the tranquil, historic once portrayed.
Venice's struggle with balancing preservation and tourism highlights a pressing challenge faced by many popular destinations worldwide. As travelers, we must consider how our visits impact these delicate ecosystems, striving to appreciate and respect the cultural and natural heritage of Venice and similar locales.
Overcrowding
Visiting Venice during the July period was a nightmare. As of writing this article, the city has a population of approximately 258,000 permanent residents with over 55,000 living in the historical island city of Venice (centro storico) and the balance on the mainland (terraferma).
Yet this region receives on average over 20 million tourists per year with a significant number of persons only doing one-day tours. Every corner of the main sites of Venice were heavily populated with mass number of tourists, all aiming to achieve the best picture from each site. While it understood that this city has many significant tourism attractions, this high concentration of persons in such a tiny place did not add to the beauty or idyllic feeling which the place has to offer.
In order to curb this overtourism, the city introduced a tourist tax earlier this year by charging day-trippers 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the city on 29 days throughout the year. It its hope that this will control of the follow of persons on specific days into the island territory. There is even a possibility of an increase the fee the following year.
Venice and its lagoon is a UNESCO heritage site and this institution has also noted in successive warmings in 2014, 2017, 2019 and even in 2023 that the city needs to mitigate against overtourism because it is close to becoming "a World Heritage in danger".
Exorbitant prices
Some of the tourists could also see the city of Venice as a possible tourist “trap”. While the destination has wonderful sites and attractions to offer that may add a great tourism experience. It is also wise to be cautious of some of exorbitant prices to experience these one in a lifetime experience at Venice. For example, while gondola rides are synonymous with Venice and it a part of its rich history in this city of romance be prepared to set your pockets back by 90€ for approximately 20-30 minutes tops for leisure. Additionally, while Venice is known for its great seafood treats as the city is based on water; food prices at most restaurants were above 20€ or more for main dishes. Adult ticket prices to visit Doge Palace started at 30€. Even a standard ride on a vaporetto (the public transport on water) for 75 minutes is 9,50€ compared to mainland bus, train or tram tickets between 2-3€ for 75 or 90 minutes. At least there was the opportunity of multi-day passes to help set back some costs if persons opted to get those offers.
Enjoying sites and attractions at Venice can slowly add up and the question is raised are we truly getting value for money? Or are prices increasing due to the number of tourists visiting the destination. With higher prices due to tourism, it may also be difficult for permanent residents who also have their livelihoods there to sustain.
Sanitation and Over pollution
Venice is a very old city, and it was very evident while taking a ride through the canals to many of the off the beaten pathways that more work needs to be done on its sewerage collection and over pollution if this tourist site will be preserved for future generations. The waterways in Venice are not clean and swimming is not permitted there. Likewise, the stench of sewerage was visible in some of the side streets and canal ways, so proper care must be taken to re-invest in the infrastructure and maintenance of this beautiful city.
Practice of Responsible Tourism
The government and residents of Venice acknowledge serious challenges with overtourism, implementing measures to mitigate damage. Tourists, too, must shoulder responsibility and here are some recommendations:
1. Come during low season – Consider visiting the destination when it is less crowded between November to March yearly but do expect mild winter weather (with lows in the 30s and 40s), occasional flooding, shorter opening hours to many sites but lower prices and fewer tourists to hassle with while enjoying the destination.
2. Spend more time visiting the entire region -Many tourists stay for just a few hours to see little on the main island, buy a few trinkets and make their exit. This short-term tourism brings no long-term benefit to the region and causes more damages to the historical sites and pollution. Consider the opportunity to see the full tourism product offered. In the long term, this brings better holistic economic benefit to the city. There are more outer islands to explore in Venice in addition to spending sometime on the mainland in Veneto region.
3. Encourage sustainable practices – Take the opportunity to spend more time walking through the alley ways than ride up and down the canals of Venice, there by polluting the waterways less. Tourists are also encouraged to be more responsible with their trash by properly disposing it or taking your garbage with you. Reduction in plastics along the waterways are very important because during the rainy period the street of Venice usually floods as the sea level rises.
Venice is a stunning city, so let's do everything in our power to preserve it not just for ourselves but for all future visitors!
Kommentare