The Swiss mountain destination is buckling under the weight of day-trippers and plans to follow in the footsteps of Venice
You gotta hand it to European destinations – from building walls and designing questionnaires to hiding bus routes and banning ice cream, they’re getting quite creative with their methods to curb tourist numbers.
But some are opting for a good old-fashioned entry fee – and Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland is the latest to propose such a measure.
The tiny Swiss village has grown in popularity in the summer season, but locals have begun to complain of disorderly behaviour and high levels of traffic. So, they’ve taken some inspo from Venice.
Much like the Italian city, Lauterbrunnen’s entry fee will only apply to visitors coming for the day. ‘The exception would be guests who have booked an offer such as a hotel or an excursion or who arrive by public transport,’ explained Mayor Karl Näpflin, according to the Daily Mail.
And though the amount would also be as low as Venice’s, at between five and 10 francs (roughly £4.33 or €5), the fee has proved quite controversial in Venice. Locals who disapprove of the measure took to the streets with signs and banners in protest when it was first implemented a few weeks back.
Hopefully the locals of Lauterbrunnen are a bit more on side with this proposal – stay tuned for updates.
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