Thursday, November 28, 2024

Do you think charging an entry fee to historic landmarks is an effective way to tackle overtourism?

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Yes, I think so.

Take the Galapagos Islands. They are a most sensitive ecosystem and each tourist is a disturbance. In August 2024, they doubled the National Park entrance fee from $ 100 to $ 200 per adult. This has two effects: First, it limits the number of tourists, because those who are not really interested but just look for another place to drink cocktails are repelled. Second, you get funds for conservation work.

Same with historical sites.

Venice is also a fragile city, built on wooden poles, which suffers from overtourism. Cruise ships are especially harmful. Venice has introduced an entrance fee for tourists who do not stay overnight (those who stay overnight pay a visitor’s tax). For 2025, the entrance fee is doubled from € 5 to € 10 per day, but just between April and July. Also, the size of travelling parties is limited to 25, since these groups are particularly disturbing.

These fees are relatively mild. € 10 is less than the price for a coffee in Caffee Florian. But it brings the money which is necessary to clean up the mess that the tourists leave. And to conserve and protect the unparalleled treasures or art and architecture.

Anyone who is really interested in history, art and architecture will happily pay the small fee. 

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