Venice: dream destination or the last doomed holiday paradise?

Venice: dream destination or the last doomed holiday paradise?

Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans, with Venice always playing a central role. In 2024, Italy ranked second among foreign destinations for German tourists, behind only Spain, with around 8.6 percent of vacation trips going to the Italian Lagoon City. Even though tourist numbers have declined in many places in Italy, Venice has enjoyed great popularity as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. In 2023, the city recorded around 5.7 million arrivals, marking an uptick following COVID-19 restrictions.

A traveler's experience reflects the mixed feelings that a visit to this unique city can evoke. Recalling his first trip to Venice in 2020 during the pandemic, he found the city surprisingly uncrowded, which made exploring easier. This contrasted with later visits to cities such as Rome and Milan, where he encountered crowded streets and even a theft.

Tourism and challenges

In fact, Venice will rank ahead of other major cities such as Milan and Berlin in 2023. Most tourists came from the United States, followed by travelers from France and the United Kingdom, but the number of international visitors exceeds 70 percent. In addition, in 2024, hotel prices in Venice were the highest in Italy, while Airbnb offers were also more expensive than in Florence, Milan and Rome. However, this increase is directly linked to the problem of overtourism, which not only affects visitors' experience but also endangers the city's delicate ecosystem.

Due to these challenges, Venice is planning measures to curb mass tourism. An entry fee for day visitors will be introduced from 2024 and large group visits will be restricted. These initiatives are necessary to preserve the city's unique landscape while promoting tourism without placing undue burden on the city and its residents.

A personal summary

The author's experiences after his visits to Italy show the diverse facets that traveling to this country brings with it. While he made positive impressions in Bologna and Milan, in Rome he experienced not only crowded streets, but also annoying situations such as thefts, which can spoil the fun of traveling. During a stay in Milan, a handbag was stolen from the outside area of ​​a pizzeria. The helpful waiter then offered a free pizza, which somewhat alleviated the otherwise negative experience.

Despite all the difficulties and challenges, the memories and adventures you collect while traveling seem to outweigh the overall impression. Venice remains a fascinating destination that raises questions of both beauty and conservation.