Venice now charges day-trippers an entrance fee.
At exactly 8:30 a.m. I passed through the checkpoint in front of Santa Lucia train station, the main entrance to a city that has had enough of tourism.
Italy’s Liberation Day – the first day the new €5 (£4.30) fee for day visitors between 8.30am and 4pm was introduced – is also the moment when city authorities are hoping for a turnaround.
“Today we are introducing the entrance fee system to find a new balance between residents of the common area and day-trippers,” said Simone Venturini, Venice’s deputy mayor for tourism. The Independent.
“Some days of the year the number of day trippers can be overwhelming and we try to keep the number of day trippers down.”
In a typical year, around 30 million tourists visit Venice – with around seven in 10 (or 21 million) staying for just one day. Shortly before the Covid pandemic, Unesco warned that the city’s “world heritage status was in danger”. The city official said the program was not aimed at foreign visitors, but at tourists from places in northern Italy.
“The 5 euros are paid mainly by day-trippers who travel short or medium distances – people who live in the nearest region of Italy,” said Venturini.
“Venice is always here. You are always there. So you can choose another day to visit Venice.” He said the program was not designed to make money – but to act as a deterrent on peak days: “Our goal is to collect very, very low taxes because that means we have fewer day-trippers.”
The deputy mayor rejected the claim that it was wrong to set a fee for entry to a UNESCO World Heritage site such as Venice.
“I think humanity has a duty to preserve and protect Venice. If this system helps us do that, I think the system is good.”
A series of kiosks have been set up outside Santa Lucia station where new arrivals can pay with cash or credit card. The first customer was a retired US Army veteran, Mark Michanowicz from Nashville.
He said: “This is about helping Venice. I think the Venetians have suffered long enough from the many tourists who come here every day. I think it is the right thing to do. I think every city in the world should do this and help each other.”
“You come to visit this city. You come, you eat, you go to the bathroom and you leave, and then who cleans up all the mess?”
Mr Michanowicz said the charges were at best too low.
“I would be willing to pay 10 euros. I mean, what’s 10 dollars? You’re coming to visit and get to know a beautiful city – why not help support it?”
In spring and summer 2024, the fee is due on 29 days, starting with the 11 days from April 25th.
On the following seven weekends up to and including Sunday, July 14, there is also a fee for visits. However, from mid-July onwards, the fee will be waived.
