Venice: dream destination or the last doom of the holiday paradise?

Venice: dream destination or the last doom of the holiday paradise?

Venedig, Italien - Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germans, with Venice repeatedly playing a central role. In 2024, Italy took second place in the foreign travel destinations for German tourists, only behind Spain, with about 8.6 percent of vacation trips to the Italian lagoon city. Even if the tourist rush has declined in many places in Italy, Venice has been very popular as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. In 2023 the city recorded around 5.7 million arrivals, which is an upswing after the Covid 19 restrictions.

The experiences of a traveler reflect the mixed feelings that a visit to this unique city can cause. If he remembers his first trip to Venice in 2020 during pandemic, he found the city surprisingly little overcrowded, which made it easier to explore. This was contrasted with later visits in cities such as Rome and Milan, where it was confronted with crowded streets and even theft.

tourism and challenges

Indeed, Venice ranks in front of other big cities such as Milan and Berlin in 2023. Most tourists came from the USA, followed by travelers from France and the United Kingdom, but the number of international visitors exceeds 70 percent. In addition, the hotel prices in Venice were the highest in Italy in 2024, while Airbnb offers were also more expensive than in Florence, Milan and Rome. However, this increase is in direct connection with the problem of overtourism, which not only affects the experience of visitors, but also endangers the city's sensitive ecosystem.

Due to these challenges, Venice plans measures to contain mass tourism. From 2024, an entry fee for day visitors will be introduced and large group visits are to be restricted. These initiatives are necessary to preserve the unique landscape of the city and at the same time promote tourism without excessive strain on the city and its residents.

a personal summary

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

Despite all the difficulties and challenges, the memories and adventures that you collect when traveling seem to outweigh the overall impression. Venice remains a fascinating goal that raises both beauty and conservation issues.