Italy: Venice set to charge tourist entry fee in 2022

Venice: As tourists return to Venice this summer, after the industry was crippled by the covid-19 pandemic, the canal city is once again studying a proposal to introduce an entry fee system to control the flow of crowds.

The controversial plan, which had been due to take effect last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus, is now back on the table and could come into force from summer 2022, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

The system would require tourists to book and pay online for their visit to the city where, on arrival, they would enter via electronic turnstile gates at key access points in the historic centre, such as at the railway station and St Mark’s Square.

When the scheme was first mooted a couple of years ago, the city council said it planned to levy the entry fee, which would vary initially from a €3 standard daily rate to €6 on busier days, rising to €10 in the peak summer season.

It was also stated that the fee would only apply to tourists on day trips, not those staying overnight – while those visiting the Italian city for academic, work or family reasons would be exempt – as would local residents.

The proposal was raised by the city’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro who said the system would tackle over-crowding and “hit-and-run” tourism.

The contentious plan remains a source of division among those living and working in Venice.

As Italian newspaper La Stampa puts it, supporters of the proposal say it would treat Venice with the respect associated with a museum, while critics say it would turn the lagoon city into a theme park.