On Thursday, Venice, Italy, became the first city in the world to charge fees to day tourists just to visit its historic canals and other attractions on peak days.
The measure is designed to combat excessive tourism and mitigate the deleterious impact that large crowds can have on some of the city’s fragile sites, while also persuading some tourists to visit during less busy periods of the year. year.
The fee of approximately $5.37 only applies to the 29 days considered the busiest between April 25, a public holiday in Italy, and July 14, in a trial phase of the reservation and booking system. costs.
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Most people entering the city must register and obtain a QR code, or a ticket for visitors without a smartphone, but some tourists are exempt from paying this fee. For example, visitors staying overnight in a hotel or Airbnb type accommodation are not subject to the nominal tourist tax. Likewise, residents, people born in Venice, people visiting resident relatives, workers, students and visitors under the age of 14 also do not have to pay.
There is no limit to the number of tourists who can book a tour on a given day.
In a public video, Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, called the new system an “experiment” to protect the city.
“We do it with great humility,” he said. In a social network jobhe added, the deployment “is going well” and “the atmosphere is relaxed”.
Simone Venturini, Venice Tourist Advisor, added: “The whole world would love to visit Venice, and it’s an honor for us. But not everyone is able to do it on exactly the same day.”
However, some residents protested the new policy on Thursday, according to media reports. Some were seen confronting riot police, while others tried to break through a blockade, CNBC reported.
This fragile lagoon town has around 50,000 inhabitants, a fraction of what it was a few generations ago. On its busiest days, it can attract almost as many tourists as locals.
Listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the city is home to masterpieces by Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and others.
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