As Venice ramps up its efforts to tackle overtourism, the city has imposed a double fine on last-minute visitors, with those arriving within three days of their trip facing a €10 entrance fee. The measure aims to strike a better balance between residents and tourists, but critics argue it will only drive more visitors to the already-strained city.
Venice‘s Entrance Fee Returns with a Twist
About 30 million people visit Venice each year, the majority of whom go just for the day. This phenomenon has put a significant strain on the city’s infrastructure and resources.
Overtourism occurs when a destination receives an excessive number of visitors, leading to strain on local resources and infrastructure.
This can result in overcrowding, increased costs for residents, and degradation of the environment.
According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), 1 in 5 tourists visit destinations that are facing overtourism issues.
Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam struggle with managing tourist numbers, highlighting the need for sustainable tourism practices.
The €5 Tourist Fee: A Measure to Tackle Overtourism
Last year, as part of an experiment aimed at dissuading day visitors during busy periods, Venice became the first major tourist city in the world to charge people to enter. Although the initiative made little impact on visitor numbers, it did rake in €2.4m for the lagoon city’s coffers.
Visitors to Venice, Italy must pay a municipal tax, also known as the 'tourist tax, ' which varies depending on the accommodation type and duration of stay.
The current entrance fee for Venice is €5 per person, with exemptions for children under 6 years old and EU citizens.
As of 2022, the tourist tax ranges from €1 to €3 per night, depending on the type of accommodation.
This year’s levy remains €5 but will double if bought within three days before arrival in the city. The measure applies between 8.30am and 4pm local time, with 54 dates mostly weekends, between 18 April and 27 July, almost double the number of days compared to last year.
Visitors are provided with a QR code which they will need to present to stewards hired to patrol the city’s main entrance points. Anyone who books an overnight stay in Venice is exempt from paying the fee, as are tourists from the wider Veneto region, and children under the age of 14.
However, even if a visitor has booked a hotel room, they are still obliged to register their presence on the website. This year’s expanded scheme aims to strike a better balance between the rights of those who live in Venice and those who wish to visit it.
The Impact on Residents
While the fee was mostly embraced by tourists last year, it was bitterly contested by Venice‘s residents. Many believe that the only real way to achieve more sustainable tourism would be to target the people who stay overnight by clamping down on short-term holiday lets and improving services for the year-round population.
Venice, Italy is known for its canals, ornate bridges, and stunning St.'Mark's' Square.
However, living in this beautiful city comes with a unique set of challenges.
Residents must navigate the city's narrow streets and waterways by foot or by boat.
According to recent statistics, over 60% of Venice residents use public transportation, including 'vaporettos (water buses)' and 'traghetti (gondola ferries)'.
The city's population has been steadily increasing, with a current estimate of around 55,000 residents.
Despite the challenges, many Venetians adore their way of life, citing the city's rich history, cultural events, and breathtaking scenery as major attractions.
Giovanni Andrea Martini, a Venice councillor for the opposition, is among the fee’s most prominent critics. ‘It has made absolutely no difference,’ he said. ‘The numbers have actually been increasing. In recent days, we have been overwhelmed.’*
Martini also expressed concerns that the measure will disrupt the peace of those living in lesser-known areas of Venice‘s main island. ‘It is a measure aimed at reducing tourist pressure but naturally it has provoked anger among people living in these areas as it will disrupt their peace,’ he said.
Despite the mixed reactions, city authorities remain optimistic about the scheme’s potential to tackle overtourism. Simone Venturini, Venice‘s councillor for tourism, believes that the access fee scheme ‘represents a tangible and innovative tool’ in terms of data analysis and managing visitor flows.
