From January next year, tourists entering Venice will be charged a daily fee as part of the city’s new fees and rules, and here’s why.
Venice is set to become the first city in the world with a booking system, so if you’re planning to visit Venice soon be prepared to pay. It applies to everyone aged six and over on a day trip and each visitor will be charged between €3 and €10 per day. So, here’s all you need to know.
Why is Venice introducing fees?
The fee has been introduced to tackle overcrowding and overtourism. Venice receives 36 million visitors every year, and the number is rising. This is putting pressure on transport, sewage facilities and local businesses.
Roughly ⅘ of all of Venice’s tourism is people visiting for the day. Venice’s population is dwindling down to just 50,000 now. Residents don’t want to live in a city so crowded and this is the council’s solution.
Who is exempt from Venice’s fees?
If you’re staying in accommodation in Venice you’re already paying tourist tax so this doesn’t apply to you. It’s just for day-trippers as they are seen as contributing the least to the economy. If you fail to pay fines between 50-300 euros will be issued, so make sure you don’t forget.
Children under six, disabled people, residents, and those who visit the city for health reasons are exempt from paying.
Where do the fees apply to?
The fee applies to the city centre of Venice of course, and also islands such as Lido di Venezia, Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant’Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, Sant’Andrea, La Certosa, San Servolo, San Clemente and Poveglia.
When can you book?
You will be able to book from autumn this year once everything is finalised. Visitors will need to book in advance before they arrive, meaning there will be a capacity on who can visit when. This will put some people off from visiting on extremely busy days in the summer.
Venice’s councillor for tourism, Simone Venturini, told iNews: “Venice is a living city and it has to stay that way.”
For far too long the streets have been clogged and facilities pushed to their maximum. The historic ‘sinking city’ needed to do something to stop the growing tourism problem and it’s looking like this will be the perfect solution.