Hundreds of locals took to the streets of Venice in protest against the city’s new day trip charge and fines as well, following the recent city administration’s measures as part of its strategy to address the challenges posed by over-tourism. This fee, set at €5 per person, marks Venice as the first city in the world to implement such a system.
In this regard, activists and residents have expressed their disappointment at Mayor Luigi Brugnaro’s decision, which they argue has transformed Venice from a beloved destination into what feels like a commercialized theme park, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
Venice Visitors to Face Up to €300 Fine for Unpaid €5 Entrance Fee
Under the new system, visitors can pay the fare online and receive a QR code for entry at designated points. Otherwise, tickets can be purchased on arrival, but random checks will be carried out, and fines of between €50 and €300 will be imposed on those who try to avoid paying.
Elena Gastaldello, president of the Veneto branch of Arci, an Italian recreational and cultural association, said that the fee would not effectively control the influx of tourists into the city.
Gastaldello pointed out that the ticket system does not establish any maximum limit on the number of visitors allowed into Venice. Instead, she emphasized concerns that the fee would contribute to further transforming the city into what she described as an “amusement park.”
Moreover, Gastaldello criticized the need for accompanying policies addressing crucial urban development issues such as rent control and housing availability. She asserted that introducing the fee needs to address the fundamental challenges the city faces.
The daily travel charge, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm local time, will apply for the next ten days and most weekends until mid-July. However, overnight tourists are exempt from this fee, as they already pay an overnight tax on their accommodation bill. At the same time, they still need to register for an exemption.
Basically, anyone entering the city on days when the fee is applicable must have either a ticket or an exemption, with only Venice residents and locals exempt from this requirement.
The implementation of this fee was first announced in September 2023 and came into effect this month. Its main purpose is to address over-tourism issues and encourage tourists to visit during less crowded periods.
Venice’s Entrance Fee Sees Only 10% Adherence Since Implementation
According to CNN, on the first day of implementation, the mayor’s office data indicated that 113,000 visitors registered to enter Venice, with approximately 80,000 registering in advance. Only 15,700 individuals paid the entrance fee, representing slightly over ten per cent of total visitors.
Among those exempted from the fee, nearly 40,000 were hotel guests, while around 4,000 were friends or family of residents.
Additionally, over 20,000 commuters and 13,000 students accessed the city, with school groups included. The council reported conducting inspections on the credentials of nearly 14,000 individuals.
