Travellers wishing to visit Venice now face fines for not paying their €5 entrance fee, which will be ranging from €50 to €300. The city has become the first in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists in its bid to reduce the crowds that throng the canals during the peak holiday season.
This new measure will be enforced for a specific period, from April to mid-July of this year. Following a recent move to manage overtourism, Venice authorities have announced changes for day-trippers planning to explore the city’s historic sites, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
Starting this year, visitors planning to experience Venice’s charm will need to reserve their spots in advance and pay a €5 admission fee. The move was originally launched in September of 2023.
Simone Venturini, the municipal councillor for tourism, emphasized the need for a new equilibrium between tourists and residents.
We must strike a balance that respects both our residents’ spaces and our city’s charm. Discouraging the influx of day-trippers on peak days is crucial.
Random Inspections to Enforce Venice’s New Tourist Fee Aimed at Over-Tourism
While the authorities have refrained from labelling the fee as a tax and assured that there won’t be physical barriers or rollers at the entrances, inspectors will conduct random checks.
City administrators stress that the primary aim of the visitor’s fee is not revenue generation but rather managing the impact of tourism. While they estimate the fee could contribute around €700,000 ($743,750) to the city’s finances this year, the main focus remains on addressing the challenges posed by over-tourism.
Visitors staying in Venice are already subject to a nightly tax ranging from €1 to €5, depending on the hotel category and the time of year. Last year, this tax alone generated €34 million ($36 million) for the city.
Last year, Venice welcomed approximately 20 million visitors, half of whom stayed overnight in hotels or holiday accommodations. This number significantly overshadows the resident population, currently standing at around 49,000.
Officials have acknowledged that pre-pandemic estimates of 25 to 30 million annual visitors may need to be revised. The pilot project aims to gather more precise data on tourist numbers.
Venice to Ban Large Tourist Groups & Loudspeakers from June 2024
Additionally, starting in June 2024, Venice will implement further restrictions to manage mass tourism. Tourist groups exceeding 25 people and loudspeakers will be prohibited in the city as part of ongoing efforts to preserve Venice’s unique character and reduce the impact of over-tourism.
