Venice to impose entrance fee on tourists
A fee of up €10 is to be imposed on visitors to Venice in a bid to tackle over-tourism in the historic city.
The entrance fee is due to be introduced from January 16, 2023.
Venice is set to become the first city in the world to require payment to enter.
The cost of tickets will range from a minimum of €3 up to €10.
The fines for ticket violations will range from €50 to €300.
The launch date was announced by Venice’s councillor for tourism, Simone Venturini, on Friday.
Venturini described the new measure a “great revolution” and a solution for the over-tourism problem that the Italian city has been struggling with for decades.
The price will not be fixed, but will vary according to the number of visitors. The more requests for entry, the higher the cost.
The goal is not to “close the city,” but to get people to book their presence to reduce the “tourist peaks.”
He said: “Venice is a living city and it has to stay that way.”
A ticket booking system and its online platform will be unveiled in the autumn.
Residents and children aged under six will be exempt, as will disabled people, homeowners, those who come to the city for health reasons or to visit relatives, and those attending a sporting or cultural event.
Overnight guests will also avoid paying the entrance fee because they will already be paying a tourist tax through their hotel.
Venturini added: “I think many other European cites who live with significant numbers of day trippers are watching us to understand in what way they can introduce [a similar scheme].”
