Guided city tours for groups of up to 25 people, a ban on using loudspeakers – these are the new rules that have been in force in Venice since Thursday. Their aim is to reduce the burden on residents. The first penalties for violating the regulations have already been issued.
Under new rules introduced in Venice, any guided tour group of more than 10 people must wear headphones. It is also forbidden to stop in places where it would block pedestrian traffic. Groups cannot exceed 25 people.
The regulation came into force at the height of the tourist wave on the Grand Canal and two weeks after the end of an experiment with an entry fee to the city, required from tourists who were not staying overnight at a hotel there.
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The authorities want to “improve the quality of group tourism”
On the first day of the new rules in Venice, law enforcement issued three fines to tour groups of more than 25 people, the city's tourism office reported. The head of the office, Simone Venturini, explained: “The city authorities' task is to improve the quality of group tourism in Venice and limit the effects of the excessive influx of walking groups. This problem has a direct impact on the quality of life of residents and workers.”
The limit on the number of trips does not apply to school groups.
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