Venice, a highly touristed destination, faces significant pressure from incoming visitorsâ30 million annually compared to 50,000 locals. In 2023, overnight bookings hit record levels, indicating remarkable tourist interest post-pandemic. Tour guide Nicolo Merlo emphasizes the unique challenges Venice encounters, likening its situation to a messy SNAFU. Despite the chaos, he encourages responsible tourism that respects local lives and experiences, asserting that visitors can enjoy Venice while minimizing their impact on the city and its residents.
"Nothing has really changed," says Nicolo Merlo, a tour guide with ShoMe Venice. "Everything is back to normal. If you can call Venice normal."
"Venice has specific problems because Venice is Venice," Merlo says. It's a major SNAFU, in other words. "Don't underestimate Venice," he continues, signaling the complicated and messy nature of the city.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't visit Venice. More like don't be a dick and ruin the city for the locals.
With the right approach, you can skip over some of the tourist-fueled frenzy while still soaking up the verified Venice vibes you've always dreamed of seeing and experiencing.
Collection
[
|
...
]