Venice, against overtourism, launch of the first code of ethics for tourists and operators in Italy

A turning point in favor of the management of tourist flows a Veneziaon the eve of the debut of entrance fee: for the first time in Italy a code of ethics has been approved by the incoming operators who work in the city and adhere to the Organized tourism federation of Confcommercio. The operators and associations in the sector are committed to promoting tourism with an offer of services that brings value to the city in a sustainable way, offering planned and booked visits, favoring a distribution of time and experiences of tourist flows that reduce the impact ofovertourism.

Alternative itineraries, earphones and the rule of the right

In the code, among the indications addressed to operators, there is the incentive to propose alternative itineraries to Piazza San Marco and Rialtothe use of earphones to listen to the explanations of the guides in order to reduce acoustic disturbance and the visit to the city museums.

Tourists, however, will be informed of the importance, among other things, of keeping to the right in the streets to avoid obstructing the passage, of not moving from one side of crowded vaporettos to the other to take photos and of giving up their seats to the elderly, to disabled people and mothers on crowded vaporettos and not to occupy seats with their feet or objects. Finally, the document asks visitors to remember a series of principles of decorum, such as not graffitiing monuments and walls or not diving or bathing in canals.

The satisfaction of the Municipality

“I welcome the adoption of this code of ethics with great satisfaction – declares the municipal tourism councilor, Simone Venturini -. It is proof that the city knows how to create a system to build its future of which the management of tourist flows is one of the most important issues. A team effort that adds to the Municipality’s awareness campaign #EnjoyRespectVenezia and the other experimental measures we have introduced”