The Battle Over Tourism in Rome: Managing the Trevi Fountain Crowds

As one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Rome, the Trevi Fountain draws in hoards of visitors every day, all hoping to toss a coin and make a wish. However, the overcrowding at this Baroque monument has raised concerns about how to manage the influx of tourists.

City officials are now considering a plan that would require visitors to purchase a 2-euro ($2.25) ticket to access the open-air fountain, which has traditionally been free of charge. This proposal, put forth by Rome’s top tourism official, Alessandro Onorato, follows a similar move by Venice, which implemented a 5-euro daytripper access fee earlier this year.

“Two euros is more or less the same amount that people toss into the fountain to make a wish,’’ Onorato explained.

With cities around the world facing the dilemma of balancing tourism’s economic benefits with the impact on residents and historical sites, Rome is taking proactive steps to preserve its cultural heritage. “We have to avoid, especially in a fragile art city like Rome, that too many tourists damage the tourist experience and the city itself,” Onorato emphasized.

The proposed entrance fee to the Trevi Fountain would be managed through a reservation system and a QR code. The goal is to have this system in place by the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, with the hopes of reducing overcrowding and protecting the site from damages such as feeding pigeons or unauthorized fountain dives.

Passersby in the piazza overlooking the fountain would not be subject to the fee, which would only apply to those entering the nine stone steps leading up to the fountain’s edge. The fee would be waived for residents of Rome.

By implementing this system, Rome aims to strike a balance between welcoming tourists and preserving its cultural heritage for future generations. The proposed fee, if approved, could be the first step towards a more sustainable approach to managing tourism in the Eternal City.