Despite being a popular tourist destination, Venice has struggled with the negative effects of overtourism for many years. In order to address this issue, the city has introduced a new entry fee for day-trippers starting from the end of April 2024. Visitors who fail to pay the €5 fee to enter the historic center of Venice will face fines starting at 10 times the entrance fee. This payment system is part of a pilot program aimed at reducing overcrowding, encouraging longer visits, and improving the quality of life for residents. The fee does not apply to overnight visitors who already pay a tourist tax, and exemptions are available for various reasons such as work, school, and medical care.
The new entry fee will be enforced through a system of controls at designated entry points, where visitors will be required to show either a QR code confirming payment or an exemption voucher. Payment points will be set up for those without smartphones, and fines ranging from €50 to €300 will be imposed on individuals found without the required documentation. The goal is to discourage overcrowding on peak days and ensure that visitors comply with the new regulations. While officials have emphasized that there will be no physical barriers or turnstiles, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has acknowledged that lines may form at entry points and that random checks will be conducted.
The introduction of the day-tripper fee is part of Venice’s broader efforts to address the impact of overtourism on the city. Prior to the pandemic, Venice was estimated to receive between 25 to 30 million visitors annually, including day-trippers. However, officials believe that these figures are not accurate, and the pilot project aims to provide more precise data to better manage the phenomenon. The pandemic delayed the implementation of the fee, which has been seen as a crucial step in dealing with the challenges posed by excessive tourism. By introducing the fee, Venice hopes to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the city’s cultural heritage and quality of life for residents.
Venice’s decision to introduce an entry fee for day-trippers has been influenced by a number of factors, including pressure from UNESCO to address the issue of overtourism. The city narrowly avoided being placed on the UN’s list of endangered heritage sites, thanks in part to the proposed day-tripper fee. The initiative is also seen as a way to prevent the city from being overwhelmed by cruise ship passengers, who brought 1.6 million people to Venice in 2019. Activists have raised concerns about the imbalance between tourists and residents, with the number of tourist beds surpassing the number of permanent residents. This trend has resulted in overcrowding, strained services, and pushed residents to the mainland in search of a better quality of life.
The new entry fee for day-trippers is being implemented as a time-limited pilot program, starting with a national holiday on 25 April and running through mid-July. The fee will apply during peak hours from 8:30 am to 4 pm on most weekends, with no set maximum number of visitors in this phase. Visitors can register for the fee online in multiple languages, and exemptions will be available for certain categories of individuals. While the fee has been met with some resistance, particularly from those who believe it will deter visitors, officials see it as a necessary step to ensure the sustainable management of tourism in Venice. Ultimately, the success of the pilot program will depend on the willingness of visitors to comply with the new regulations and the city’s ability to strike a balance between tourism and preservation.
