Venice introduces fees for day‑trippers in pioneering move to curb tourism surge
25 April 2024 08:53
In Venice, a reservation and payment system is being launched for some tourists. People who will not stay overnight must purchase an entry ticket to the city. The local authorities explain that their goal is to discourage what is known as one-day tourism during the peak season.
After announcements and lengthy preparations, it is becoming a fact. In Venice, an unprecedented experiment is starting, including introducing reservations and a £4.20 fee on selected days. Tourists coming there without an overnight stay must pay it.
"Venice will remain a hospitable and open city for all," assured the head of the tourism department in the city administration, Simone Venturini.
Tourist fee in Venice. When and who does it apply to?
According to the regulation of the Venice authorities, the fee will apply for 29 days: April 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, and June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, and July 6, 7, 13, and 14.
Tourists planning to visit the city on these dates must register on a special platform at https://cda.ve.it. Upon entering the site, they will receive a QR code, which they must show in the event of a control in the city.
This will contain both information about the payment of the fee and exemption from it in case of having booked accommodation.
The fee of £4.20 for entry to the historical centre of Venice will apply to persons over the age of 14 years. No discounts are foreseen.
Venturini emphasizes that Venice is embarking on "a long road with the awareness that it is a pioneer on a global scale".
Entry tickets to Venice. Fighting one-day tourism
A city official asked whether fines ranging from £42 to £252 (approximately £47 to £283) would be imposed right away, noted that the approach of those conducting controls, especially at the beginning, will be gentle and primarily aimed at informing.
The city authorities explain that their goal is to develop a new system for managing the influx of tourists and to discourage the so-called one-day tourism during the peak season. The biggest crowding is caused by those who come just for a few hours of sightseeing.
According to statistics, about 20 million tourists visit Venice annually, of which 6 million stay overnight.
