Tourist flows in Veneto can be a starting point to count the number of visitors to the historical centre. The tourist movement in the Veneto capital is increasing by 20-25%, whereas the 'loading' capacity of the city can be estimated around 25-30 thousand daily visitors between over-night stays and excursions.

These figures were the starting point for the creation of the Venice Card, designed not as a ticket, but as a suggestion for tourists, and available in blue for those interested in using public transportations and toilets and orange for those wishing to book museum visits.

A first step - though it will not solve everything - to fro the growing pressure on the historical centre's resources.  As mayor Costa states,  "on average every year there 12 million visitors to the historical centre, and of these, only 20% books the stay, the others are 'hit and run' tourists. The use of Venice Card by tourists, as well as helping and improving the quality of their stay is also a concrete and direct check to contribute to the safeguard and maintenance of an artistic and cultural heritage as their is no equal in the world ".

Venice Cards must be booked at least 48 hours before the arrival into the city either through the internet site or calling number 899/909090 -for callers from within Italy- or 39/041/2714747 - for callers from abroad. The card has a validity of one, three or seven days and starts from a minimum of seven euro to a maximum of 58, and is free for children up to 4 years of age.

The Venice card is just the beginning of a number of actions to regulate the tourist flows in Venice: a scaleable smart card that can be used in cinemas, casinos, theatres and beaches.

January.2002

Venice municipality (In Italian)
Tourism in Venice
Venicecard (In Italian)