Tourists, beware! Venice, the stunning Italian city famous for its canals and picturesque architecture, has introduced a controversial entry fee for visitors. This move has sparked outrage among locals and turned the city into what many are calling a “theme park.”
Starting this summer, tourists will have to shell out €5 (£4.30) just to enter Venice. The fee, aimed at tackling over-tourism, has been met with strong opposition from residents. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro claims that this fee will make the city more “liveable,” but locals argue that it is transforming Venice into a mere tourist attraction.
Matteo Secchi, a resident of Venice, expressed his discontent, stating, “You can’t impose an entrance fee to a city; all they’re doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice… I mean, are we joking?” Even the city’s former mayor, Massimo Cacciari, joined the chorus of disapproval, urging tourists to boycott the fee.
As a result of this new policy, exploring the enchanting streets of Venice will no longer be the same. Tourists will have to navigate through the city’s narrow alleys while constantly being reminded of the price they paid just to be there. Whether it’s visiting iconic landmarks like Palazzo Ducale or enjoying a traditional Venetian dish by the water, tourists will now face additional obstacles.
The introduction of the entry fee has sparked a heated debate about the future of tourism in Venice. While some argue that it is necessary to protect the city from overcrowding, others believe that it tarnishes the authentic charm of Venice. Only time will tell how this controversial decision will shape the future of tourism in this captivating Italian city.
VENICE INTRODUCES ENTRY FEE FOR TOURISTS
Venice, the popular tourist destination, will be undergoing some changes this summer. In an effort to address the issue of over-tourism, the Venice City Council has decided to implement an entry fee for tourists. It is estimated that approximately 30 million tourists visit Venice each year, compared to the 3.2 million people who actually stay overnight. To combat this, the council plans to limit the number of guided groups that can travel to the city. Starting from June 1, guided groups will be restricted to a maximum of 25 people, which is half the capacity of a standard tour bus.
The new fee has received mixed reactions from tourists. Sylvain Pellarin, the first person to pay the €5 fee, expressed his support, stating that he is willing to pay to protect Venice. However, not everyone shares the same sentiment. Luca Perotti from London complained about the fee, saying that the money could have been spent on a gelato instead. Despite the fee, the number of visitors on Thursdays remains high.
In addition to the entry fee, the Venice City Council has implemented other measures to manage tourism in the city. Areas such as Piazza San Marco and Murano’s Via del Giudecca will have restrictions to reduce pedestrian traffic. The use of portable loudspeakers will also be banned to reduce noise pollution. Tour leaders will have to rely on their own voices or use whisper radio sets, portable microphones, and headsets.
The introduction of the fee and other measures is aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring the protection and safety of the city. Venice hopes that these actions will help address the issue of over-tourism and preserve the unique charm of the sinking city.
ANOTHER TOURIST ATTRACTION CHARGES VISITORS
Following the footsteps of other major attractions, Mount Fuji in Japan has also decided to charge tourists for visiting. As the highest peak in Japan and an active volcano, Mount Fuji attracts thousands of climbers each year. In 2023 alone, 221,322 people made the ascent. Concerns over rubbish and the safety of hikers have prompted Japanese authorities to impose this new tax. The price of the tax has not been announced yet.
By implementing these measures, both Venice and Mount Fuji aim to strike a balance between attracting tourists and preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these iconic destinations.
Venice is facing a major problem with its influx of tourists. In an effort to combat the issue, the council has announced the introduction of a day-tripper charge starting from spring 2024. This decision came after UNESCO expressed concerns about the damage caused by the high number of tourists and considered adding Venice to its endangered list. Despite the risks posed by mass tourism, floods, and droughts, the city managed to avoid being added to the list.
Now, the details of the charge have been revealed. The Venice Access Fee is a pay-to-enter charge specifically targeting day visitors. This comes after years of debates surrounding the issue of over tourism. Starting from April 25, tourists planning to visit for the day will have to pay €5 (£4.30). However, residents, commuters, students, and children under 14 will be exempt from this fee, as well as tourists staying overnight.
According to reports, 5,500 people have already booked a ticket for April 25, which is a national holiday in Italy. If you are planning to visit Venice on specific dates between 8:30am and 4pm local time, and you are over the age of 14, you will be required to pay the €5 fee. These dates include April 25–30, May 1–5, 11–12, 18–19, 25–26, June 8–9, 15–16, 22–23, 29–30, July 6–7, and 13–14.
To pay the fee and obtain your QR code, you can visit the designated website.
