In an effort to address the challenges of mass tourism, two Italian cities, Venice and Milanhave taken radical measures that have shaken visitors and residents alike.

Venice, known as the ‘city of canals’, has become the first in the world to charge tourists for the simple act of entering its streets. Those who do not spend the night in one of their hotels are subject to a charge of five euros, a move intended to deter the constant flow of visitors. However, the move has not been without controversy, with local residents expressing frustration at living in what they perceive as a perpetual theme park. “When I leave the house, I avoid three or four bachelor parties,” shared a Venetian neighbor, highlighting the daily inconveniences they face.

Despite the implementation of the charge, residents insist that there needs to be a real limit on the number of tourists coming into the city. Of the 110,000 visitors registered in just a few hours, only 10% have paid the fee, suggesting the system may not be as effective as hoped.

The tourist must access the Venice City Council website or go to the official points, pay the five euros and in exchange they will receive a QR code that they must carry with them, since there are 200 inspectors carrying out random checks. If one of the inspectors finds you and you don’t have the code, you can pay fines of between 30 and 500 euros.

Meanwhile in Milan, another controversial measure is on the way. From May, the city will prohibit the sale of ice cream and pizza after midnight, in an effort to combat noise and dirt at night. While the move has been met with skepticism by some, advocates argue it is crucial to preserving the quality of life in the bustling metropolis.