Amalfi Coast Restricts Tourism Access to Alleviate Congestion


Tourism is surging back across Italy, and government officials are taking unprecedented steps to mitigate the congestion.

Italy is taking dramatic steps to alleviate the notorious traffic congestion along the Amalfi Coast, and the changes are going to make things a bit tricky for tourists and out-of-towners.

The new rules will apply to the narrow, 35-kilometer stretch between Vietri sul Mare and Positano, a road known for sharp turns and unforgiving cliffs, euronews reports.

During peak hours in peak season, drivers will need to obey a new license plate number system.

If your car’s plate ends in an odd number, you will be able to access the road on odd-numbered days. If it ends in an even number, you will be able to access the road on even-numbered days.

The rules will apply from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends from mid-June through September.

Local residents, public buses and taxis will be exempt from the restrictions, but business owners — especially hoteliers — are grumbling about how the lack of access will inhibit tourists’ ability to plan short trips to the coast.

Meanwhile, in 2023, Venice will launch a tourism tax, where travelers will have to pay roughly $3 to $10 per person (depending on the season). Travelers will also need to book their Venice day trips ahead of time using an app.

The entry tax plan comes months after Italian officials agreed to ban massive cruise ships from docking in the city’s lagoon.

And as tourism continues to surge back in Italy, tourists can expect even more rules in the months and years ahead.

 

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