Sinking or Sailing: Venice's Overtourism Dilemma and the Search for Solutions
In September 2023, Venice announced plans to charge day-trippers, who constitute two-thirds of all visitors, a €5 entrance fee. This move marks one of the latest approaches to tackle Venice’s longstanding problem of overtourism, referring to an excessive influx of visitors to a particular destination at any given time, a challenge the city has faced for decades. While the efficacy of this measure in controlling the number of day-trippers remains to be seen until its experimental stage concludes in Spring 2024, dissatisfaction persists among various stakeholders, particularly locals and UNESCO, regarding the effectiveness of the string of policies implemented by the Italian government over all these years. This dissatisfaction prompts deeper inquiry into why and how overtourism has become an unresolved issue for Venice and Italy as a whole. What are its causes? What consequences has it brought about? What measures have been taken? And most of all, are they truly effective?
Overtourism has long plagued Venice, yet a viable solution remains elusive. This problem is not confined to Venice alone but also affects other renowned tourist destinations such as Amsterdam and Barcelona. So, why should we pay particular attention to Venice amidst this widespread issue? The staggering statistics in Venice offer a glimpse into the severity of overtourism in the city. With an estimated 20 million visitors annually, some of its peak days witness around 120,000 tourists navigating its narrow streets—a significant number considering the city's modest population of only 55,000 residents. Tourists tend to gravitate towards iconic landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square, exacerbating the problem. But overtourism presents a problem far more severe than simply crowding out locals during peak holiday seasons.
From locals’ perspective, they witness irresponsible behaviour among tourists, such as littering and swimming in canals, as well as environmental damage from large cruise ships emitting pollutants. Many locals are choosing to relocate away from the city due to these issues. The population has declined from 120,000 three decades ago to 55,000 today, and projections suggest that by 2030, Venice could face depopulation.
Overtourism bears significant responsibility for these challenges. As tourism becomes the primary economic driver of the country, job opportunities predominantly arise within the tourism sector. However, this shift makes finding employment outside of tourism nearly impossible. Local cultures are consequently eroding, as food, goods, services, and entertainment cater predominantly to tourists, leaving little space for authentic local experiences. This dynamic further displaces locals and threatens the very essence of Venice, both culturally and physically.
Venice's unique geography exacerbates the situation. As a city built on water, the expansion of tourism translates to an increasing number of boats not only for transportation but also for sightseeing. However, the rise in boat traffic contributes to waves that erode the foundations of ancient infrastructure and damage the seabed, accelerating the city's literal sinking. In essence, Venice faces a multifaceted crisis driven by overtourism, which not only threatens its cultural heritage but also its physical existence.
The Italian government has implemented various measures to address overtourism, albeit with limited success. In 2017, a ban on large cruise ships over 55,000 tonnes entering St. Mark's Basin and the Guidecca Canal from 2021 aimed to reduce pollution and preserve historical infrastructure. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro introduced crowd control measures in 2018, restricting access to popular attractions for tourists while prioritizing locals and businessmen. Fines were also imposed for behaviours detrimental to the quality of life for residents, such as noisy suitcase use and littering.
However, the effectiveness of these policies is questioned by both locals and external entities like UNESCO. Despite the mayor's efforts, anti-tourism demonstrations persist among locals, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction. UNESCO has criticized Italy for its lack of a sustainable tourism strategy, warning of Venice's inclusion on the list of endangered sites due to insufficient measures to address overtourism and climate change. The recent introduction of entrance fees, while aimed at reducing day-tripper numbers by prompting them to re-evaluate their travel plans, has sparked heated debate and fails to address underlying issues such as housing shortages and population decline exacerbated by overtourism. Instead, it risks transforming Venice into a commercialized tourist destination akin to a Disneyland theme park.
The persistence of overtourism as an unresolved problem for decades raises significant questions about the priorities and long-term preservation strategies of Italian authorities. As Venice's status as a sinking yet culturally significant city hangs in the balance, the implications extend far beyond local residents, and has begun to[KR2] impact the global community. Given the evident risks and challenges posed by overtourism, why has there been a continued inability or reluctance to address the issue effectively?
Ghiglione offers an alternative insight onto this matter by framing tourism as being “Italy’s oil". The argument posits that tourism serves as the country's primary source of income, providing jobs and fostering development. Tourism accounts for 13 percent of Italy’s GDP, with approximately 23 million people employed in the sector or related activities. Given Italy’s economic stagnation since the 2011 European financial crisis, tourism serves as a crucial safety net, sustaining the country's economy. However, he also expresses scepticism as this overreliance leaves the economy vulnerable, as evidenced by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism-dependent cities like Venice, where lockdowns resulted in massive job losses.
He ends by offering advice to Italy: developing a ‘plan B’ to diversify the economy away from heavy reliance on tourism. In cities like Florence and Rome, which also grapple with overtourism, policy suggestions include investing in industry and craftsmanship, as well as converting vacant public housing into subsidized housing to incentivize local residency. However, the question remains: What about Venice? Creatively rethinking strategies for Venice, as well as Italy as a whole, is imperative to address these challenges before irreparable damage occurs, both economically and environmentally. Other cities in Italy have begun exploring alternative paths, and Venice should follow suit to avoid sinking, both figuratively and literally.
Overtourism remains a pressing issue for Venice and Italy at large, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage. Despite efforts by the Italian government, the problem persists, highlighting the need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions that address the root causes of overtourism while preserving the unique identity of Venice and other affected cities. By diversifying the economy and implementing strategic policies, Italy can chart a course towards a more sustainable future, ensuring the long-term viability of its tourism industry and the well-being of its citizens.
Image courtesy of Stefano Accorsi via Wikimedia, ©2018. Some rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the wider St. Andrews Foreign Affairs Review team.
