Economic, Venice had a problem: his geography did not give for more (tourists), much less if a large number of these hordes that arrived at the enclave daily did it to disappear when the night arrived without leaving any benefit to the city in addition to a large amount of garbage. This was how a series of regulations were born where it was put Bumper to the groups big, se They tracked phoneSo was imposed A pioneering toll. It went so well that they announced Redouble the bet.
They did not go lantern.
A fragile city against hordes. Since its origins, Venice has fought the forces of nature, raising stone walls against the sea to make its unique lagoon habitable. Today, however, the enemy that threat is not water, but the unstoppable wave of visitors who travel it as if there were no tomorrow with backpacks, sandwiches and, in many cases, little interest in contributing to its economy or preserving its delicate ecosystem.
To contain these so -called tourists “Mordi e fuggi” (literally, “eat and run away”) the city has Reinstasurated and expanded Its controversial access rate, a measure destined to discourage overflowing tourism on days of high influx. First applied last year for 30 days, and that, As we countnow it will extend to 54 days (since April 18), and will penalize with a higher rate (10 euros compared to 5) To those who reserve with little or zero in advance, have been active for a few days. The measure, more than a drastic brake, seems to send a message to the world: Venice is unique, fragile and requires more conscious and respectful tourism.
Between protection and pragmatism. We have explained before. The entry into force of this rate is justified both for symbolic reasons and for concrete urban management demands. In 2023, Venice was on the verge of being included in the list of patrimonies in danger of UNESCO, threatened by mass tourism, climate change and excessive urban development. Thanks to initiatives such as the rate, the city has achieved (for now) Avoid this ominous label, although the experts of the organization will re -evaluate the situation next July.
Meanwhile, the income generated last year by the rate amounted to 2.8 million eurosa figure for mainly to cover the cost of implementation of this system still in an experimental phase. Although the impact on the tourist influx has been questionable (the local government itself admits that the days with a rate registered, paradoxically, More visitors) The authorities insist that the tool has a crucial operational value: it allows more precision to plan municipal services, from garbage collection to urban transport.
Criticism, surveillance and tensions. Of course, critical voices are not lacking. Had the New York Times That for figures such as the opposition councilor Monica Sambo, trying to govern Venice as if it were a theme park with a paid entrance is a simplistic and symbolic solution to a much more complex structural problem. Sambo claims more comprehensive policies: A clear limit to the number of hikers allowed per day, firm regulations on tourist accommodation and strategies that promote access to housing and stable employment for residents, thus fighting the “tourist monoculture” that suffocates the Venetian social fabric.
To this is added the concern for the control and privacy that we have months ago: to monitor tourist flows, the city uses Location data Telefónica and security cameras, measures that some see as steps towards intrusive surveillance. Plus: They have also been forbidden The megaphones And he has limited to 25 The number of people per tourist group.
Imperfect tool to an urgency. As We count A few weeks ago, the rate applies only to single -day visitors between 8:30 and 16:00, and They are exempt Those who stay in registered hotels or rentals, already subject to a tourist tax, as well as those who work, study or visit relatives in the city. All visitors They must register and get a QR code before arrival. For its defenders, such as Simone Venturini, Councilor for Tourism, this rate represents not only a control measure, but a declaration of principles: Venice is not a dead postal or a tourist decoration, but a living city that demands respect.
One thing seems clearly clear: its practical effectiveness may be in debate, but in a context where tourism threatens with devour To the city, any attempt to restore the balance between the rights of residents and the desires of visitors becomes not only legitimate, but urgent.
Image | Jorge Fraganillo
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