Fewer cars and mopeds, entrance fees and hygiene requirements in cities are among the measures that the regions are planning
Most of the popular tourist destinations in Italy want to cope with the tourist flow , but use different strategies.
For many travelers, a holiday in Bella Italia is at the top of the list of the best summer vacation destinations. This summer the country will be visited by millions of tourists from Italy itself, Europe and the rest of the world. The Italians should be happy with this. After all, tourism is an important economic factor in Italy.
But managers of very popular and visited regions are concerned. How do they deal with the onslaught of thousands of vacationers?
Fewer cars and mopeds, entrance fees and hygiene requirements in cities are among the measures that the regions are planning. For example, the islands of Lampedusa and Linosa will no longer allow private cars registered outside the region. The same applies to the island of Procida. Mayor Dino Ambrosino said: “This is the only initiative that works. The area of Procida is four square kilometers, it is home to 10,000 inhabitants and up to 600,000 visitors…”. As the most populous island in Europe, mobility is a major problem.
On the island of Gilio, they are less strict. Sergio Ortelli, the island's mayor, is taking a different path. “With 1,400 residents, we get up to 10,000 visitors a day in the summer.” It turns out about 300,000 a year. Now they would decide that in August cars are only allowed to be brought by vacationers who stay longer than four days. They also charge an entrance fee of three euros in the summer season and two euros in the winter season.
Mass tourism has been a problem in the lagoon city of Venice for decades. Around 25 million visitors visited the picturesque town in 2019, mostly day-trippers who spend an average of five to 20 euros. The Venetians groan under the load. However, little has been done to ease the burden. Entry fees have been discussed for some time to control the massive number of day trippers.
Currently, the so-called Biglietti will be available from summer 2023. Since the dates have been delayed again and again in recent years, this start date has not been set either. Guests of the Lagoon City Hotel do not have to pay an entrance fee.
In Sardinia, those in charge have been implementing the strategy for some time now. 1500 people can 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, free for children under twelve.
The municipal leaders of Baunei in Sardinia have set a limit on access to beaches for 2023. “We have 40 kilometers of coastline, almost all of which are in the mountains and face the sea,” Mayor Stefano Monni said. He added that they are trying to get conditional access. “We have an app booking system that allows you to reserve one of the 250 daily beach visits.” The cost is six euros.
Online tickets, entrance tickets or booking apps: anyone planning a summer holiday in Italy this year is advised to find out what the rules are in place at their destination before than to book and start the trip.
