Italy Fights Mass Tourism with Fees and Restrictions

Italian regions implement rules against mass tourism. Most popular travel destinations in Italy want to cope with the tourist rush, however with different strategies.

For many travelers, a vacation in Bella Italia is at the top of the list of summer vacation spots. Millions of tourists from Italy itself, Europe and the rest of the world will visit the country this summer. The Italians should actually be pleased about this. After all, tourism is an important economic factor in Italy.

But the managers of very popular and frequented regions are worried. How are they supposed to cope with the onslaught of thousands of vacationers?

Cars are Allowed on the Island Only on Longer Stays

Fewer cars and mopeds, entrance fees and requirements to keep hygiene in the cities in line are among the measures that regions are planning. On the islands of Lampedusa and Linosa, for example, private vehicles registered outside the region will no longer be allowed. The same applies to the island of Procida. Mayor Dino Ambrosino said: “This is the only initiative that works. Procida is four square kilometers and has 10,000 inhabitants with up to 600,000 visitors …”. The place is the most densely populated island in Europe, mobility is a significant problem.

They are a little less strict on the island of Gilio. Sergio Ortelli, mayor of the island, tries another way. “With 1400 inhabitants, we have up to 10,000 daily visits in the summer.” That makes about 300,000 per year. Now they would have decided that in August only vacationers who stay longer than four days are allowed to bring their cars. They also charge an entrance fee of three euros during the summer season and two euros during the winter season.

10-euro Fee for the Lagoon City to Fight Mass Tourism

Mass tourism has been a problem in the lagoon city of Venice for decades. In 2019, around 25 million visitors – mostly day-trippers who spend between five and 20 euros on average – visited the picturesque city. The Venetians are groaning under the load. Little has been done to relieve the burden, however. An entrance fee has been under discussion for some time in order to get the massive number of day trippers under control.

Currently, the so-called Biglietti are to be available from summer 2023. Since the dates have been postponed again and again in recent years, this start date is also not set in stone. Hotel guests of the lagoon city do not have to pay the entrance fee.

On Sardinia, those responsible have been implementing a strategy for some time. 1,500 people are allowed to visit the white sandy beach of La Pelosa in the northwest of the island. They also have to pay an entrance fee. 3.50 euros for adults, and children up to twelve years of age have free admission.

App Reservation System to Keep Mass Tourism under Control

Municipal leaders of Baunei in Sardinia have set a cap on beach access for 2023. “We have 40 kilometers of coastline, almost all of which are in the mountains and overlook the sea,” said Mayor Stefano Monni. He added that they are trying to have contingent access. “We have an app reservation system that allows you to reserve one of the 250 daily accesses to the beach.” The cost is six euros.

Online tickets, entrance fees or reservation apps: Anyone planning a summer vacation in Italy this year would be well advised to find out which regulations apply at the destination before booking and starting the trip.