04 February 2026 at 11:46 pm IST
Italy has introduced a nominal tourist levy and enhanced sustainability measures at the historic Trevi Fountain in Rome, aiming to address overtourism and protect one of Europe’s most iconic heritage sites. The policy — effective in early 2026 — applies to visitors who wish to access the immediate vicinity of the monument and is part of a wider strategy to balance tourism demand with conservation imperatives across major cultural landmarks. Under the new system, visitors from across Europe — including travellers from Poland, Germany, France, Latvia, Austria, Sweden and Iceland — will encounter a €2 charge at designated entry points if they wish to approach the fountain’s basin and interact with the site more closely. The fee is intended not only to generate revenue for ongoing maintenance and preservation work but also to regulate crowding, improve visitor experience and sustain the site for future generations. Authorities in Rome have framed this levy as part of a broader sustainability and heritage protection model that seeks to reduce the wear and tear caused by high foot traffic, manage peak visitation times, and ensure that cultural treasures can be enjoyed without compromising their structural integrity. By introducing a modest fee with a clear conservation purpose, Italy is establishing a precedent that could influence similar overtourism policies in other European destinations. The new measures reflect growing dialogue among European tourism authorities around sustainable travel management and heritage site conservation in a post-pandemic era of intense travel demand. By targeting visitor flows and linking fees directly to preservation funding, Italy’s approach underscores a shift toward sustainable tourism practices that aim to reconcile economic benefits with environmental and cultural stewardship concerns.
