Venice will be rolling out a day-tripper fee of 5 euros for visitors entering the city’s historic center, with fines starting at 10 times the fee for those who fail to pay. The fee is part of an ongoing effort to regulate mass crowds and combat the impact of overtourism. While officials have avoided calling it a tax, they have acknowledged that there may be lines at entry points and personnel will be checking for QR codes or exemption vouchers. The pilot project aims to manage the number of visitors more effectively, as previous estimates of 25 million to 30 million visitors per year are not considered reliable. The fee is not required for those staying in Venice, including the mainland districts of Marghera and Mestre.
Officials in Venice have stressed the importance of the day-tripper fee in reducing crowds on peak days, encouraging longer visits, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. The program will be tested on 29 days starting on April 25, with no maximum number of visitors set in this phase. Random checks will be conducted at the entry points to enforce the fee, with fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros for non-compliance. Visitors can register for the fee online and exemptions will be granted for various reasons, including for residents of the Veneto region and those born in Venice.
The pandemic delayed the implementation of the day-tripper tax, which is a key part of Venice’s strategy to address overtourism. The plan helped the city avoid being placed on the UNESCO list of endangered world heritage sites last year. Cruise ships, which brought 1.6 million people to Venice in 2019, have also been a significant factor in the city’s overtourism issues. The fee is intended to encourage longer visits, reduce overcrowding, and improve the overall experience for both visitors and residents.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has emphasized the need for controls to enforce the day-tripper fee, stating that fines will be imposed on those found without the required documentation. The pilot program will run from April to mid-July, featuring an advertising campaign to inform visitors of the new regulation. The effort also aims to address the imbalance between the number of tourist beds and residents in Venice, with the decrease in the city’s population due to overtourism. The initiative has attracted interest from other cities around the world seeking to manage their own tourism challenges.
Overall, the day-tripper fee in Venice represents a proactive approach to managing overtourism and ensuring a sustainable future for the city. By regulating visitor numbers, encouraging longer stays, and improving the experience for both tourists and residents, the initiative aims to strike a balance that benefits everyone involved. Despite initial concerns about potential delays and inconveniences, the fee system is seen as a crucial step towards preserving Venice’s unique cultural heritage while addressing the challenges of modern tourism.
