Venice presents section expense for joyriders to handle mass the travel industry

Venice has implemented a five-euro entry fee for day-trippers without hotel reservations to combat mass tourism, marking the city as the first worldwide to impose such a charge. The move aims to address the strain that excessive tourism has placed on Venice's delicate ecosystem and resident population.

With only around 50,000 residents on the islands of Venice, the influx of up to 40,000 daily visitors poses a significant challenge. In response, the City Council has taken bold steps, including banning large cruise ships from the historic center in 2021 and now implementing this entry fee.

The decision follows UNESCO's warning to include Venice in the list of endangered World Heritage Sites due to the impact of mass tourism. The fee will be in effect on 29 specific dates in 2024, allowing authorities to gather data on tourist flows and manage services more effectively.

Visitors can reserve entry dates through an online platform set up by the City Council, with specific dates marked in red. Even attendees of events such as Pope Francis's mass in St. Mark’s Square will need to obtain a QR code for entry.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized that the goal is not to turn Venice into an amusement park but to make the city more livable for its residents. The entry fee aims to regulate tourist numbers without resorting to physical barriers, such as turnstiles, which were previously attempted and failed.

Enforcement of the entry fee will be carried out by a team of 180 personnel, including volunteers and municipal workers. Violators risk fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros.

Despite initial considerations of a 10-euro fee, the final decision settled on five euros, with exemptions for various categories, including children under 14, Venetians, workers, and students. Those with hotel reservations or tourist accommodations are also exempt, as they already pay a municipal tourist tax.

The trial period will be followed by a reflection period to assess the effectiveness of the measure and make any necessary adjustments. The entry fee aims to alleviate pressure on Venice's infrastructure while contributing to municipal revenue.