Venice has introduced a new pilot program to charge day-trippers a 5-euro entry fee in an effort to manage the impact of over-tourism on the city. The fee is meant to discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its residents. The initiative includes new entrances at the main train station to separate tourists from residents, students, and workers. Stewards are available to guide visitors through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.
The city hopes that the fee will help provide more accurate data on the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice. While the number of hotel visitors can be tracked, the number of day visitors was previously estimated based on cell phone data. The new system aims to address the strain on the city when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000, causing congestion in narrow alleyways and water taxis. However, some residents are skeptical of the effectiveness of the fee in dissuading mass tourism, calling for a focus on increasing the resident population and necessary services.
Despite some opposition from residents and activists, more than 6,000 people had already paid to download the QR code for the entry fee, and officials expected around 10,000 paid day-tripper arrivals during the initial launch period. Additionally, over 70,000 people have obtained an exemption QR code, including those working in Venice or residents of the Veneto region. The program has garnered interest from other places struggling with mass tourism, with cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam taking note of Venice’s approach.
Critics of the entry fee argue that charging visitors to enter a city is not a sustainable solution to the issues of over-tourism. They believe that more focus should be placed on increasing the resident population, reopening local businesses, and ensuring that services cater to the needs of those living in the city. Some residents question the legality of the new system, citing the Italian constitution’s guarantee of the right to move freely within the national territory.
Overall, Venice’s new pilot program to charge day-trippers an entry fee is a response to the challenges posed by over-tourism in the city. By introducing this fee, authorities hope to better manage the number of visitors, reduce congestion, and improve the overall livability of Venice for its residents. While there is some skepticism and opposition to the fee, as well as calls for broader solutions to address over-tourism, the city is moving forward with the initiative as a way to tackle these pressing issues.
