At times, tourists generate up to 40 per cent of Venice’s waste.
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Venice has launched a campaign to encourage tourists to drink from water fountains instead of using plastic bottles.
In 2019, 5.5 million people visited the city which has a population of just 50,000. Depending on the season, tourism is responsible for up to 40 per cent of waste production the city council tells AFP.
As visitor numbers begin to recover from the pandemic, the city is looking for ways to limit the impact travellers have on the local environment.
What is Venice doing to prevent overtourism?
From 2023 Venice will have a tourist tax, and now a campaign has been launched to encourage people not to buy multiple single use plastic bottles.
Water fountains are easy to find with 126 spread throughout the city. There’s one around every 100 metres, says Alberto Chinellato, an architect for the city council.
“Encouraging the use of free drinking water produces less waste (...) but also brings fewer bottles in the historic centre, which means less pollution and less transport,” he explains
Water distribution company Veritas has developed a mobile app to help tourists locate places to fill up their water bottles. It maps all of the fountains in Venice and by activating your GPS, you can find a route to the closest one.
Why is reducing plastic waste in Venice important?
Hotel Flora, just behind the famous Saint Mark’s Square, has decided to take things a step further in encouraging tourists to stop buying single use plastic bottles.
Owner Gioele Romanelli created his own printed map which marks the water fountains in Venice with a blue water droplet. He says it gives people a visual idea of how easy this simple waste reducing action is.
When they check in, guests are told about the drive to cut down on plastic and given one of these maps. He says their reactions are often enthusiastic and some are surprised to learn the water in the city is drinkable.
“With this small gesture, our customers can actively participate in the battle against plastic," he says, seeing it as a way, in a city "that has a crazy number of tourists," to convey a certain sense of "responsibility."
And preventing pollution is of key importance in a city like Venice that is especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
As Romanelli explains, “we will be the first visible victim of a possible rise [in sea levels] and so it becomes indispensable for a city that is known to have a crazy number of tourists.”
Watch the video above to see how Venice is encouraging tourists to stop using plastic bottles.
FAQs
Water fountains are easy to find with 126 spread throughout the city. There's one around every 100 metres, says Alberto Chinellato, an architect for the city council. Water distribution company Veritas has developed a mobile app to help tourists locate places to fill up their water bottles.
Why is Venice limiting tourists? ›
Venice's day-tripper fee to combat overtourism
This decision has been in the works for a while and is mainly a response to Venice dealing with too many tourists, which has caused an immense strain on the city's infrastructure and even put its UNESCO World Heritage status at risk.
What are the new rules for tourists in Venice Italy? ›
Starting Thursday, travelers can download an app to pay and attain a QR code, which will be checked by inspectors to enter the city as a visitor. If someone traveling for the day in Venice is caught without the code, they may face a fine of up to 300 euros. Tourists on Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy, March 15, 2024.
What is a major problem facing Venice, Italy today? ›
The saltwater in the Venetian lagoon is eating away the submerged timber piles that are the medieval buildings' foundations. In addition, climate change means that flooding happens more often. Rising water is endangering Venice's very existence.
Can I bring a refillable water bottle? ›
Yes, just bring an empty reusable water bottle and refill it after the security check! Traveling by plane can be a hassle, especially when you're trying to navigate through airport security procedures and regulations. One question that often arises is whether you can bring a water bottle on the plane.
Is it OK to refill water bottles? ›
Health advocates advise against reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda, and juice bottles. Such bottles may be safe for one-time use but reuse should be avoided.
What is a negative of tourism in Venice? ›
For researchers, Venice is the embodiment of overtourism, and residents clearly suffer from the consequences – living with the congestion, environmental damage and affects on their lifestyle and culture that 20 million visitors can cause. This can then lead to a negative response, known as “tourismphobia”.
Is Venice stopping tourists? ›
Summary. In order to help with too many tourists, Venice, along with the islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello, will limit the number of people allowed on tour groups. Only 25 people will be allowed per group, while loudspeakers will be banned. These new rules go into effect on June 01, 2024.
Why is Venice charging an entry fee? ›
Venice became the first city in the world to charge a payment for tourists in an attempt to alleviate the pressures of mass tourism and make the city more livable for its residents.
Are cruise ships still allowed into Venice? ›
Venice was forced to ban cruises from its centre in 2021, after damage to the lagoon saw UNESCO threaten to put the city on its endangered list unless they prohibited the ships. Experts say that these large boats cause pollution and erode the foundations of the city, which already suffers from regular flooding.
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We've reviewed our travel advice for Italy and continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. You may need to pay an access fee if you're visiting Venice on a day trip from 25 April onwards. We advise: Exercise normal safety precautions in Italy.
What travel documents do I need for Venice? ›
For entry, stay or transit in Italy, foreign nationals shall be in possession of a passport or another travel document recognised by the Italian government.
How much to pay to enter Venice? ›
When will visitors have to pay to visit Venice? Starting on 25 April 2024, visitors will have to pay a fee of €5 to enter the fragile lagoon city.
Is Venice expensive to visit? ›
The northern Italian city of Venice is a notoriously expensive place for a vacation. But according to a new survey by travel website Omio, the canal city actually works out as one of the cheapest European destinations for certain factors.
Why is Venice in decline? ›
Though the Venetians had retaken several territories after the imperial war, they would never expand again. The Ottomans recaptured Cyprus in the 1570s, which furthered the republic's loss of territory and power. In turn, the economy of Venice started to decline due to its lack of control over the spice trade.
Can you fill water bottles in Italy? ›
To avail drinking facility at the fountains, it is recommended to carry an empty bottle that can be refilled at the fountains located in many major streets (nasoni fountain). However, look out for fountains that have a 'Not Potable' sign indicating unsafe for drinking.
Does Venice have free water fountains? ›
Yet there is a little surprise reserved for all Venice lovers and that is there isn't only salty water surrounding it but also a network access to public water from a hydraulic system. Good and free. In fact while walking along Venice you will often bump into -when most needed- many fountains.
Can you buy bottled water in Venice? ›
How does Venice get its water to drink? As in the past, you can find public water, free of charge, as well as privates commercializing drinking water in bottles, mainly plastic.
Can Americans drink the water in Venice? ›
When it comes to drinking tap water in Venice, tourists can rest assured that it meets stringent quality standards and is safe for consumption. The local authorities have implemented rigorous monitoring and testing procedures to ensure the water's safety.
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