Venice launches campaign forbidding 'irresponsible behaviour'

A World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world has launched a campaign urging tourists to follow the rules and adopt a respectful behaviour - Respect Venice.

Venetian authorities have unveiled a new campaign, aimed at tourists visiting Venice, which is struggling to cope with the influx of visitors and their 'inappropriate' behaviour, The Independent reported.

Paola Mar, the councillor responsible for tourism, announced the campaign called #EnjoyRespectVenezia.

The campaign will be promoted across social media, shown on the city council's website, and provide reminders in the shape of posters around town and flyers at locations like the train station, the report added.

Launched during the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, "the objective is to raise awareness of tourist impact, with the belief that responsible travelling can contribute to sustainable development," a message on the website said.

Current regulations enforced by the Venice City Council Municipal Police forbid certain behaviour, in order to preserve urban cleanliness and landscape, and also for reasons of safety and public hygiene.

The violation of such regulations involves the application of administrative fines - from ?25 (Dh107.5) to ?500 (Dh2,150).

"The message we have to get through is that we're not joking," Mar told local paper La Nuova.

Last August, a tourist jumping from the Rialto Bridge hit a water taxi and died in hospital.
The following behaviour is forbidden in Venice:

- Except in specifically designated areas, it's forbidden to sit in St. Mark's Square and in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, beneath the arcades and on the steps of the Procuratie Nuove, the Napoleonic Wing, the Sansovino Library, beneath the arcades of the Ducal Palace, in the impressive entranceway to St. Mark's Square otherwise known as Piazzetta San Marco and its jetty.

- "No standing at any time" - even to consume food and drink, with the exclusion of restaurants, cafés, and refreshment areas.

- It is forbidden to litter public areas (i.e. throw papers, cans, bottles and any type of solid or liquid refuse and/or hinder circulation/traffic on bridges and alleys.

- It is forbidden to swim, dive or immerse oneself in streams, canals, whether public or private, and in St. Mark's Basin, or in any water spot near any inhabited municipal area.

- It is forbidden to litter or throw refuse in public areas, or places open to the public

- It is forbidden for both males and females, to walk in city streets, stand at any time in public places and establishments, travel with public or private means while bare-chested or wearing swimwear.

- For health reasons and to safeguard the artistic heritage, it is forbidden to give food or leave, scatter and abandon food wastes on alleys, in squares or other public places, in streams and canals throughout the City of Venice.

- Bicycles are forbidden (even when only lead by hand) in Venice city centre - excepting when used by city residents and children up to 8years of age.

- It is forbidden to camp, lie on benches, or stand at any time with camping equipment in any part of the City of Venice.

The 'behavioural campaign' has 12 golden rules, with advice and recommendations to travellers that are more aware and respectful towards Venice's landscape, environment, artistic beauties and identity.

The campaign will be launched in 10 languages, including English, Chinese, Arabic and Korean.

Source: Khaleej Times