Venice bans megaphones and limits tour groups in latest regulations

Venice’s new rules limiting tour group sizes to 25 people became effective from Thursday, though children under two will be exempt, along with school groups and educational trips. The regulations will also be applicable to the frequently visited Venetian islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.

Fines could range between €25 and €500 for guides who do not comply with the new limit.

The group tour cap was originally due to commence at the start of June, but pre-existing bookings of groups larger than 25 caused a two-month delay.

Megaphones have also been banned due to the “confusion” and “disturbances” city officials have said they can cause.

It is estimated that 25 million tourists visit Venice each year. The impact of tourism has caused UNESCO to twice consider listing the city as an endangered World Heritage site.

It was able to avoid the list the first time by limiting the frequency of large cruise ships through the Giudecca Canal. The second time it had announced the introduction of a day-tripper charge, which had been delayed by the fall in tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commenting on the new tourist tax Venice tourism councillor Simone Venturini talked of striking “a new balance between the rights of those who live, study or work in Venice and those who visit the city”.