Venice Extends Day-Trip Entry Fee Program
Venice concluded on Sunday a pilot program charging entry fees for day-trippers, generating over 2 million euros and deciding to extend the fee. The experiment with the entry fee in Venice had only a partial effect on combating overtourism, suggesting that the fee is almost certainly going to increase next year, commented a politician leading the project, cited by Reuters. For the first time in the world, the famous Italian destination introduced a 5 euro fee in April for tourists arriving on particularly busy days, hoping to deter some.
The Future of Tourism Program in Europe
After successfully attracting a large number of visitors, the pilot scheme that caught the attention of other hot European destinations has come to an end. Now, a period of consultations will follow to determine the future of the program. Simone Venturini, the city councilor responsible for tourism and social cohesion, stated that the initial assessment is positive and confirmed that the system will be renewed in 2025. However, he acknowledged that there are still too many tourists.
During some weekends, there were fewer people than the same time last year. Nevertheless, no one expected that tourists would simply disappear. The discussions in the coming months will focus on finding a balance between attracting visitors and preserving the local culture and environment.
Controlling Tourism in Venice
Venice is a city that is struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of tourists that visit each year. In an effort to control the crowds and protect the city’s infrastructure, the local council has announced plans to increase the tourist tax and extend the number of days it is in effect.
The mayor stated in an interview with Reuters, “It will be more effective for the next year if we increase the number of days and the price.” The goal of the city council is to reduce the daily excursions through the city, especially on weekends and holidays, when visitors to Venice outnumber the local residents by double.
Visitors who have booked accommodation in the city will be exempt from the tax, as the council aims to encourage longer stays and discourage day-trippers. These measures are being implemented to protect Venice from the negative impacts of overtourism and ensure a more sustainable future for the city.