Venice attempts to limit the massive flows of tourists

Mass tourism has taken its toll on the World Heritage-listed lagoon city

• Some 22 million visitors flock to Venice annually, compared to its permanent population of 55,000. 
• The crush has given rise to slogans such as such as "Tourists Go Home" and "Tourists Are Terrorists" being scrawled across the city and has even prompted UNESCO to consider placing Venice on its list of World Heritage Sites in danger.
• The city of Venice on Saturday unveiled new turnstiles designed to limit the massive flows of tourists in its streets ahead of a busy long weekend.  City officials have installed them at access points to the historic city such as the Lista di Spagna-Strada Nuova-Rialto, towards alternative routes via Scalzi Bridge, San Polo then Rialto Bridge, or Santa Margherita.
• With 120,000 visitors descending on the city during Easter alone it was decided that there should be some controls over pedestrians as well as water traffic.
• Last year UNESCO told Venice that if it failed to manage the large number of tourists it would lose its status as a world heritage site.
• Activists complain that mass tourism causes rents to soar, local shops to disappear, creates low wage jobs and generates pollution. Last year, Venice started the #EnjoyRespectVenezia campaign, which appealed to conscientious visitors.

Turnstiles installed in April 2018

Giant ships are to be banned from the Piazza San Marco

The association "NoGrandiNavi" (No Big Ships) voted in favor of banning large cruise ships from the lagoon

 

How the turnstiles operate
According to an official ordinance signed earlier this week.

• Over the long weekend, tourists will be turned away from Piazzale Roma, parts of the Santa Lucia train station and Strada Nuova.
• Access will only be granted to residents and regular visitors holding a Venezia Unica card.
• Tourists heading to the Cannaregio district and to the part of the Castello district bordering San Giovanni e Paolo will be allowed to transit through.
• The Ponte della Costituzione bridge will have gates to limit numbers. AP reported that by Saturday afternoon the gates remained open.
• If crowds are too high, tourist boats cannot dock in front of St. Mark's Square.
• Police can implement new restrictions if crowds become too heavy.