5 euro entrance ticket for San Gregorio Armeno? The proposal
The City Council of Naples discussed an unprecedented proposal: the introduction of a entrance ticket of 5 euros to access the historical center of Naples, in periods of high tourist influx such as the Christmas holidays. The proposal, presented by the councilor Gennaro Esposito (Action), aims to counteract the phenomenon ofovertourism and to improve the usability of the historic center for both residents and tourists. The ticket would be purchasable via app and would be valid only in the most critical periods from the point of view of overcrowding.
What is the entrance ticket proposal?
The proposed Gennaro Esposito provides for the introduction of a ticket of 5 euro to access the historic center of Naples, especially in the areas of Decumani and San Gregorio Armeno. The idea is to adopt a system similar to the one introduced in the city of Venice, to regulate tourist flows and reduce the inconveniences due to excessive crowding during periods of greatest influx, such as Christmas. According to Esposito, the ticket would allow to collect resources to invest in the improvement of public services, in security and in management of the historic center, as well as ensuring a better quality of life for residents.
Why introduce a ticket for the historic center?
The phenomenon ofovertourism represents one of the most difficult challenges for art cities, as underlined by councilor Esposito and the Committee of Santa Maria of Portosalvo, Led by Anthony Pariante. The massive influx of visitors, especially during the holiday periods, makes the historic center impassable, with serious inconveniences for both residents and tourists themselves. The idea of the ticket, according to the Committee, would allow for better management of the flows, improving livability and distributing the benefits of tourism in a more sustainable way throughout the year.
Anthony Pariante explained how the ticket could constitute an important resource for financing public interventions: “A 5 euro ticket multiplied by the millions of visitors expected, especially on the occasion of the Jubilee and City Anniversary, would represent a significant sum to invest in improving public services and urban hygiene”.
What are the challenges of overtourism in Naples?
The phenomenon of tourist overcrowding is particularly evident in the main arteries of the historic centre, such as Via dei Tribunali e Spaccanapoli, where moving around is often a challenge, especially for those with mobility difficulties or claustrophobia. The councilor Esposito he stressed how overcrowding makes it impossible to cross the center without difficulty, and how the lack of regulation risks compromising the identity and liveability of the neighborhood. The ticket proposal aims to mitigate these critical issues, while ensuring more sustainable usability of the most frequented areas.
What does the document presented to the City Council provide?
The document presented to the City Council – entitled “introduction of an access ticket to the Historic Center of Naples to combat tourist overcrowding and improve the quality of life of residents” – starts from the analysis of the phenomenon of overtourism and its consequences on urban livability. Among the main objectives indicated by Councilor Esposito, there are:
- Regulating tourist flows during periods of greatest influx, to avoid overcrowding in the most visited areas.
- Reducing the negative impact of day tourism, often characterised by a limited economic impact on the territory.
- Promote sustainable and responsible tourism, favoring those who choose to stay in the city.
- Protecting the historical and artistic heritage from the effects of crowding and wear and tear caused by intensive use.
What are the advantages of an entrance ticket to the historic center?
The entrance ticket to the historic center of Naples could bring numerous advantages to the city, as already demonstrated in other cities of art such as Venice. Among the main benefits:
- Greater control over tourist flows, reducing the negative impact of overcrowding.
- Increase in economic resources, to be reinvested in improving public services, in the maintenance of artistic heritage and in promoting a more aware tourism.
- Protecting the quality of life of residents, reducing crowding-related stress and improving the management of public spaces.
The invitation to the arrived Manfredi is to evaluate the introduction of the ticket, using a digital platform for the management of reservations and payments, and allocating the proceeds to improving urban livability and protecting historical heritage. The city of Naples could thus become an example of innovative management of sustainable tourism, reconciling the hospitality that has always distinguished it with the need to preserve its invaluable heritage.