Venice will introduce an entry fee starting next year.

Venice has officially announced its entrance fee plan, making it the first city in the world to charge day-trippers for visiting.

However, this is just a temporary trial – the city has committed to a 30-day 'experiment,' as confirmed by Mayor Luigi Brugnaro on Twitter/X.

The decision was approved during a city council meeting on September 13, following a proposal the week before.

Instead of a fixed monthly schedule, the authorities will select specific days throughout the year, focusing on high-traffic periods like holiday weekends and peak Carnival times. The council emphasized that the goal is to reduce day tourism during these peak times, and a future resolution will clarify the exact dates when the fee will be enforced.

Daytrippers over 14 years old entering the historic center of Venice will be required to pay. Exceptions apply to locals, commuters, residents with second homes who pay local property taxes, overnight tourists, and participants in sporting events. Those eligible for exemptions must still register online to book their visit.

This new policy is less expansive than previous proposals. Since 2019, the city had considered a year-round access fee for all day-trippers, ranging from 3 to 10 euros.

The initial 10-euro fee has now been reduced to a provisional 5 euros. Tourists visiting only the lagoon’s 'minor islands' will be exempt. This means that visitors to Burano and Murano, which experience overtourism, won’t need to pay if they travel directly to the islands. However, most visitors from outside the Veneto region will still be charged, as they typically pass through the city on their way to the islands.

Simone Venturini, the city’s tourism councilor, explained that changes were made to the original plan after considering feedback from citizens and opposing council members.

He emphasized that the city is striving to find a balance between the rights of its residents and visitors, positioning Venice as a global leader in sustainable tourism management.

Certain days and periods require innovative strategies to manage foot traffic and curb the impact of day-tripper tourism.

Managing tourism effectively is essential for the city’s future – a future where Venice will remain open and accessible to all.

'Finding balance is key,'

The revenue from entrance fees will only cover the costs of the booking system, with no additional funds available, he explained.

Initially, it was hoped that the revenue would be used to enhance local facilities and infrastructure for residents, who often deal with overflowing bins and discarded trash from tourists. On busy days, visitors can outnumber locals by five to one.

In July 2022, when the council announced the system would launch in January 2023, Economy Councilor Michele Zuin stated that the funds would be used to reduce local taxes for residents.

'We want to send a clear message that Venice is open to all, but visitors must understand the importance of careful planning to balance the needs of residents and tourists,' said Zuin in his recent statement.

'Residents will enjoy a higher quality of life, and overnight tourists will experience more authentic and meaningful moments,' added Venturini.

Is this just the beginning?

Earlier, Venturini had announced that the entrance fee, a concept under discussion since 2019, would be implemented in January 2023.

At the time, he described the new policy as a 'great revolution,' offering a solution to the overtourism challenges Venice has faced for decades. He emphasized that, 'Venice is a living city, and it must remain that way.'

He had previously shared with RAI, the national TV network, that the pandemic led the city's authorities to rethink their approach.

'The pandemic made us realize that what was once routine is no longer acceptable – the mindset has shifted, along with the sensitivity towards crowds,' he explained.

At the time, he mentioned that the booking system would allow them to predict daily visitor numbers and adjust services accordingly.

Venturini also suggested that the booking system could encourage visitors to reconsider their plans if necessary.

'We can inform visitors, 'We recommend not coming on this date because it’s Ferragosto or Easter – the crowds will be overwhelming and it may not be the peaceful experience you expect. Try visiting a week later for a much more enjoyable trip,'' he said.

Venturini also predicted that Venice would not be the only city to implement a similar charge.

'I believe many other European cities that face large numbers of day-trippers are closely observing our approach to see how they could adopt a similar system,' he said.

The entrance fee has sparked such interest among visitors that the number of tourists surged from 40,000 in 2009 to 1 million by 2018.

Venice’s ongoing tourism challenges have led UNESCO to draft a resolution proposing the city be added to its 'World Heritage in Peril' list. A vote on the resolution is scheduled for later this month.