Italy: Venice to impose an entrance fee for tourists

Venice: Internationals planning to visit the Italian city, Venice, from next year, must ensure they have enough money with them after the country’s government has decided to impose a tourism fee.

According to local media reports, from January 1, 2023, travellers planning to visit Venice for the day will be required to make a reservation in advance and pay a fee.

Tickets will range from $3.25–to $10.85, while the price will depend on the time of the year. Tourists who do not hold a valid ticket with them will be turned away at the City’s entrance by the city officials.

Despite the fact that tickets will not be required until next year, they will be available for tourists online starting from June 2022.

“Today, many have understood that making the City bookable is the right way to take, for more balanced management of tourism. We will be the first in the world in this difficult experimentation,” Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro pointed out in this regard.

Authorities in Italy unfolded such plans before the COVID-19 outbreak in order to reduce the number of tourists. Based on the figures provided previously by authorities in Italy, about 80,000 people visit the City each day.

In addition, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee was also taking into consideration the possibility of adding Venice to the list of endangered heritage sites.

Due to the large number of visitors who entered the city daily, authorities in Venice banned large cruise ships from reaching its territory.

In addition, the City also plans to install cameras in order to monitor people’s movement throughout Venice and also close the historical centres.

According to authorities in this City, over 15,000 residents have left this city in the last five years alone.

“Venice is a small and very delicate city. Therefore, the number of visitors must be compatible with Venice’s size. If there is no room, you won’t be able to come in,” the mayor pointed out in this regard.

Earlier this month, the deputy mayor for social welfare, tourism, and economic development in the City of Venice, Simone Venturini, unfolded plans to impose limitations in this City, aiming to discourage one-day tourism and encourage slower tourism.

Venturini confirmed that such a decision would be taken in order to reduce the number of tourists in order to prevent an influx of visitors.