The Italian capital is looking for ways to curb excessive tourism and “lack of respect” towards one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Roma could soon launch a entry system to enter one of its most emblematic places. The authorities in the Italian capital say they want to launch it in the Trevi Fountain as part of ongoing plans to reduce crowds and promote “sustainable tourism“.
The 18th-century fountain has long been a “must see” for tourists to the Eternal City, but it is frequently crowded and plagued by pickpockets.
“Personally, I would be in favor of studying a new form of access, limited and with a certain scheduleto the Trevi Fountain,” Alessandro Onorato, Rome councilor responsible for Tourism, told the Italian newspaper ‘Corriere della Sera’.
If applied, it would act as “a reservation system (of tickets), free for Romans and with a symbolic cost 1 euro for tourists“Onorato added. Despite that cost, city officials say the aim of the position It’s not raising moneysino reduce and control crowdswhile preventing them from “eating ice cream or pizza at a monument that deserves its due.” I respect“.
What are the chances that the Trevi Fountain plan will go ahead?
The source is one of the most visited attractions of Italia and the whole world. That means it’s often packed with people scrambling to catch a glimpse of the icon, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi.
Although Onorato is looking forward to seeing the ticketing plan in action, a municipality spokesperson has said the proposal is simply a preliminary idea and still there is nothing concretealthough it is an issue that should be addressed at some point given the need to make tourism in the city more sustainable.
Roma receives a average of 35 million visitors each year and that number is expected to be even higher in 2025 as the Jubilee, a year-long religious event held in the city and at the Vatican, will attract millions more.
Where else in Italy do they charge entry (or are they planning to)?
If the Trevi Fountain fee were to go into effect, it would not be Italy’s first attempt at crowd control. In early 2024, Venice heart testing a 5 euro fee for visitors of a day that would arrive during peak hours, with the aim of encouraging people to come during off-peak hours. The test had mixed responses from authorities and locals, but it is likely to be repeated in the peak season of 2025.
Earlier this week, it was also announced that the Government of the first minister Giorgia Meloni is considering increasing Italy’s tourist tax to address overcrowding in busy cities, including Rome and Florence.
If this goes ahead, visitors staying in local accommodation will have to pay 25 euros per night per person. This proposal has been met with outrage by some hospitality leaders, with several suggesting it will harm the sector and deter many people from visiting Italy.
Along the same lines, Onorato told the ‘Corriere della Sera’ that the authorities in Rome would like limit the opening of new ‘Bed and Breakfast’ type accommodations and holiday homes to reduce pressure on the historic city center.
However, currently They don’t have the power to do it.: “Today we can limit the number of restaurants or fast food establishments in the historic center, but we cannot prevent the opening of non-hotel facilities.”
