Italy’s Venice has become the world’s first city to announce an entry fee for tourists as it is trying to tackle the problem of overcrowding. The city will charge a €3-€10 entry fee from tourists starting January 16, 2023. Visitors will also have to make an online booking before travelling to Venice next year.
The scheme makes Venice the first city in the world to require an entrance fee.
“We are pioneers, the first city in the world to apply a measure that could be revolutionary,” said Simone Venturini, the Venice tourism chief.
He also called the new measure a solution to the “over-tourism” problem. Notably, the city has been struggling with over-tourism for years. Tourism in Venice is bouncing back after the COVID-19 pandemic with daily visitors often outnumbering the 50,000 residents of the city centre.
The ticket price will be dynamic
The ticket price will be dynamic. It will depend upon the number of visitors–the more requests for entry, the higher the cost.
The ticket booking system will be unveiled soon. Moreover, there are several exceptions to the ticket mandate, councillor for the budget Michele Zuin said. Residents, disabled people, homeowners, people who visit the city for medical reasons, to visit relatives; or to attend cultural events and children under the age of six will be exempt from buying entry tickets.
Overnight hotel guests will not have to pay an entry fee. It is because they will already be paying a tourist tax at their hotel. Visitors who violate the entry fee rule will have to pay a fine which will range from €50 to €300.
