Overtourism has been a serious issue for Venice for a long time. The Venetian authorities have unveiled a new campaign as too much tourism has taken its toll on infrastructure and daily life of the residents. So when you are in Venice, the tourists have to abide by the golden rule.
The tourism authorities have urged the tourists to behave appropriately in a city which is struggling to cope with the influx of visitors, and where locals are at boiling point over their home being used as a global playground.
Paola Mar, the councillor responsible for tourism, announced that a campaign called #EnjoyRespectVenezia will launch in time for the summer crush. Transgressors will be fined anything from €25 to €500.
The visitors will be requested and reminded not to swim in canals, make picnic stops out of public areas, pause too long on bridges, drop litter, ride bikes through the city or sightsee in bathing suits – all of which have apparently the same phenomena.
This new campaign has been in planning for a long time. Termed as “behavioural campaign”, the authorities will declare 12 golden rules which are both prohibitory and encouraging in nature. The campaign will be launched in ten different languages including Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean. Meanwhile, the largest island in the lagoon, the Lido, is embarking on a sustainable tourism initiative.
