MILAN (AP) 鈥 The Italian city of Venice announced new limits Saturday on the size of tourist groups, the latest move to reduce the pressure of mass tourism on the famed canal city.
Starting in June, groups will be limited to 25 people, or roughly half the capacity of a tourist bus, and the use of loudspeakers, 鈥渨hich can generate confusion and disturbances,鈥 will be banned, the city said in a statement.
The city official charged with security, Elisabetta Pesce, said the policies were aimed at improving the movement of groups through Venice鈥檚 historic center as well as the heavily visited islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
The city previously announced plans to test a this year. The 5 euros ($5.45) per person fee will be applied on 29 peak days between April and mid-July, including most weekends. It is intended to regulate crowds, encourage longer visits and improve the quality of life for Venice residents.
The U.N. cultural agency cited tourism's impact on the fragile lagoon city as a major factor in it twice considering placing Venice on UNESCO鈥檚 list of heritage sites in danger.
The city escaped the first time by limiting the arrival of through the Giudecca Canal and again the roll-out of the day-tripper charge, which had been delayed when tourism declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
