Tourism to Italy hit a record high in 2023 with registered arrivals at accommodations at 134 million (with similar numbers expected in 2024) and locals and visitors alike are feeling these numbers, with streets and sites feeling more crowded, reservations harder to come by and just a general sense that certain cities and sites are overrun. Italy is the fourth most-visited country in the world and Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche seeks to increase visitors to Italy by 50 million in the near future. Here’s how some cities and sites are clamping down on too many visitors:
Venice Expanding Daytripper Fees
Venice is expanding its pioneering tourist entry fee system in 2025, with significant changes to both the scope and pricing structure. The city will nearly double the number of days requiring a tourist fee from 29 to 54 days during the April-July period, and while the base fee will remain at 5 euros for early bookings, last-minute visitors booking within four days of their trip will need to pay 10 euros. While the initiative raised 2.25 million euros from 485,062 day visitors in its first year, city officials emphasize that the goal isn’t to generate revenue but rather to better manage tourism flow, with Mayor Luigi Brugnaro noting that unlike in 2024, the city will begin enforcing fines in 2025 for visitors without passes. Overnight visitors are exempt from this fee.
Pompeii Limiting Daily Entries
Starting November 15th, Pompeii will cap the number of daily visitors at 20,000 people. This follows a surge in tourism that saw record numbers in 2023 with nearly four million visitors – a third more than the previous year. Pompeii had a peak of 36,000 people on a free-entry Sunday in October, though park officials note that the 20,000-person limit will likely only affect attendance on free Sundays and a few other peak days throughout the year. The site, which was preserved under volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in AD79, continues to be a major archaeological treasure, with about a third still unexcavated and recent discoveries including impressive frescos of Greek mythological figures in a banqueting hall, making it one of the most complete windows into daily Roman life.
Florence Proposes Ban on Lockboxes, Loudspeakers
Florence has unveiled a new 10-point plan to combat overtourism, coinciding with Italy’s hosting of the G7 tourism ministers in the city. The plan, approved by Mayor Sara Funaro’s Cabinet, includes banning key boxes or lockboxes for short-term rentals and prohibiting tour guides from using loudspeakers in the historic center – measures that come amid growing tensions between locals and the tourism industry. While Florence has already banned new short-term rentals in its center and is pushing for a 120-day annual rental cap, these issues highlight a broader national debate on overtourism.
Stay tuned right here for more news on Italy and overtourism.
— Kathy McCabe