'Disgusting' European city 'on brink of collapse' as mass tourism makes it 'unliveable'
Venetians are at their wits' end as mass tourism pushes the city to the brink, with "disgusting" streets and "crazy prices" becoming the norm. Venice, famed for its beautiful piazzas, palaces, and canals, attracts an estimated 30 million visitors annually.
The influx of tourists has led to numerous problems, prompting authorities to introduce a €5 (£4.20) tax for day-trippers this summer. However, locals are sceptical this will alleviate the issues caused by the hordes who stay overnight. Venice made the list of 'do not travel' zones where tourists overwhelm locals. Frustrated Italians began airing their grievances on Reddit last year.
A 2024 post criticised the day-tripper tax: "How is the €5 tax supposed to help against tourist overcrowding in Venice? 'Oh no, I spent hundreds of euros on travel and hotels to get there, but €5 is too much! I'm going back to Indonesia!'"
One commenter suggested that Venice has become more of a "museum" than a living city. Another sarcastically commented: "It's needed because Venice is a real city, it's not an attraction park where you pay a ticket to enter... Ah no wait."
While one response defended the tax measure, it also expressed sadness over Venice's plight: "The main reason for this tax is to try to alleviate overcrowding in the city on days when the number of visitors reaches such high peaks that they become unsustainable both for the city and for the (few) remaining inhabitants."
Another fiery post, written by a Milanese visitor who came to Venice for an exhibition, expressed dismay at the number of shops peddling "bulls**t" souvenirs. The post said: "There are no shops selling things that are actually needed by the locals. They have become so widespread that near the 'Londra Palace', one of the most luxurious hotels in Venice, there is a tourist shop next door."
Venetians didn't hold back their outrage either. One local described his city as an "amusement park" overrun with "junk shops", coining the term "Veniceland".
Another complained: "Yes, the residents are virtually extinct. Mass tourism has killed the city."
Another resident complained about the city becoming "unliveable" due to "crazy prices", while others bemoaned the "disgusting" state.
The daytripper tax was reintroduced in April 2025, ahead of the busy summer season, with the cost doubling for 'last-minute' bookings. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro stood by the tax amid criticism that it was insufficient.
He said: "We listened to citizens, to associations, to thousands of people, but in the end, there were no alternative solutions to ours.
"We thought to take this road of the controls, which were light enough, not invasive."
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