Citizens in Venice have spoken out against the imposed fee for a daily visit of 5 euros, Euronews reports. The measure, which aims to limit over-tourism in the Italian city, comes into effect from today and will not apply every day, but only when a particularly large influx is expected, for example on weekends and holidays. The charge applies to the historic center only, is being introduced on a trial basis and will remain in effect on selected days until July 14.
However, the innovation has been criticized by some locals as useless – the daily fee reduces the city to an amusement park and, moreover, there is not enough clarity on what the collected fees will be spent on. Instead, protesters say, local government should invest in initiatives aimed at keeping citizens in their homes. Several protests are scheduled for today in the city, organized by civic committees and associations.
Since the beginning of the 1950s, Venice has lost more than 120,000 inhabitants, according to statistics. Meanwhile, the city is visited by about 30 million people every year, but a tiny fraction of them choose to spend the night there. Most visits are for a day, therefore even tourists who have reserved even one night in the city are exempted from the daily fee.
The one-day ticket to visit Venice can be bought online, and there are no plans to install physical barriers in the city to keep an eye out for trespassers. Checks will be carried out selectively at five locations in the city, including the Santa Lucia train station, where many visitors disembark. The fine is from 50 to 300 euros.
Just for today, April 25, Venice will be visited by 5,500 people who have paid the visit fee online in advance, the local government reports. This means 27,500 euros for the treasury on the first day of the initiative alone. In order to have a balance, the municipality promises that they will reduce local taxes for the citizens of Venice.
