Italy Archives - Education Travel

Venice cracks down on crowds: City sets new 25 pax cap

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:20:50 +0000

The resolution was approved in the council’s last session of 2023 and also includes the banning of the use of loudspeakers by guides, which the city claims can cause confusion and disturbances.

Elisabetta Pesce, the city’s security councillor, said that these measures aim to enhance the movement of groups, promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring the safety of the city, The City of Venice reported.

The changes form “part of a broader framework of interventions aimed at improving and better managing tourism in Venice, thus guaranteeing a greater balance between the needs of those who live in the city, either as residents or as workers, and those who come to visit the city,” Simone Venturini, the Tourism councillor said.

“The number of 25 people was also decided to give homogeneity to what already happens for visits to the city’s civic museums,” Venturini added.

The adjustments, part of the Police and urban security regulation modification, come after discussions with various stakeholders. The new article introduces precise rules for group visits, emphasising the fragility of Venice, traffic management, and coexistence with locals. Notably, the changes signal a crackdown on unauthorised tourist guides, no longer tolerated under the revised regulations.

Sebastiano Costalonga, the councillor for Commerce, underscores the importance of regulating tourist groups to certify accompanying guides. These initiatives collectively aim to give Venice a breather, combat over-tourism, and protect its UNESCO-listed heritage. As part of this strategy, the city plans to introduce a €5 day-tripper fee on peak days between April and mid-July, encouraging longer visits and improving residents’ quality of life.

This multi-pronged approach reflects Venice’s commitment to sustainable tourism, a crucial step to preserve the city’s unique charm and delicate ecosystem.

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Italy is experiencing a COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, but I still plan to travel there with my family

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 00:38:08 +0000

Naturally we are getting a lot of questions about the coronavirus outbreak and how it will affect peoples travel plans. This article from ABC highlights some important points that we have all noticed coming forth from recent news items and other newsletter (reliable) sources. The following summary is not medical advice, but is drawn from a lot of reading by more than 5 people in our office.

There is a well founded concern for older people with preexisting health issues and many in that situation are modifying, or delaying travel plans. The virus does not seem to have such a strong affect on younger people. Caution is still advised for infants. We see more published words describing this as another Flu strain, currently without a vaccine. It is not an Ebola!

Students of history may recall the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. This made it to Australia off ships bring home returned soldiers from WW1. This event had a world wide impact and hit countries (in particular 3rd world) massively due to inferior hygiene understanding and medical facilities.

In modern times we have been reminded that approximately 50,000 people die each year due to exiting flu strains – mostly these people are un-vaccinated and elderly

Without any intention of flippancy, an upside would be very low numbers in cities like Venice. Our resident Italian staff member thinks now is the time to visit places like Venice, that are usually submerged with tourists. As the Northern Hemisphere warms up one could think that the coronavirus will follow the same track as SARS did in 2003 and vanish.

Read article here.

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Contingency Planning for Flooded Venice

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 03:15:15 +0000

Oh Venice! Venice! when thy marble walls
Are level with the waters, there shall be
A cry of nations o’er thy sunken halls,
A loud lament along the sweeping sea!
If I, a northern wanderer, weep for thee »
Lord Byron

We have two school tour groups arriving to Venice, from Australia, this upcoming weekend! Contingency plans are in place, including all participants taking rubber gum boots!

If you are heading towards Venice soon this website will helps you with planning. In particular the page link to the ‘Interactive Venice map with levels. This allows you to plan walking routes to best avoid major problem areas.

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