Venice will start charging a 5 euro fee for day-trippers entering the historic center in order to address the issue of overtourism. The fee, called a contribution by officials, will be enforced through QR codes or exemption vouchers. Visitors not staying in Venice will need to pay the fee or face fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros, in addition to the maximum entrance fee of 10 euros. The system aims to reduce crowds on peak days, encourage longer visits, and improve the quality of life for residents. The pilot program will run for 29 days from April 25 to mid-July, including weekends, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Venice has long struggled with overtourism, leading officials to implement the day-tripper fee as a way to manage the influx of visitors. The city saw a decrease in the number of registered visitors spending the night last year, down 16% from pre-pandemic levels, but estimates of day-trippers are unreliable. The program aims to provide more precise figures to better manage tourism in the future. Venice’s islands, such as Murano, are not included in the pilot program, which will focus on the historic center during specified hours and days.
Visitors arriving at train and bus stations will encounter stewards reminding them of the new requirement and assisting those without QR codes. The system will involve random, not systematic, checks to ensure compliance. Venice officials have emphasized that the fee is not required for anyone staying in the city, including residents in mainland districts like Marghera and Mestre. The program seeks to strike a balance between regulating tourist traffic and supporting the city’s economy, particularly in light of the pandemic-related disruptions to tourism.
The day-tripper fee was initially planned to launch earlier but was delayed due to the pandemic. UNESCO praised the initiative last September when it decided not to place Venice on the list of endangered world heritage sites. The city avoided a similar designation previously by banning cruise ships from St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal. Cruise ships brought 1.6 million visitors to Venice in 2019, contributing to issues of overtourism that the fee aims to address. Mayor Brugnaro has received interest from other cities around the world seeking details of the plan, though they have requested to remain anonymous.
Activists have raised concerns about the strain on Venice’s infrastructure caused by overtourism, noting that the number of tourist beds now exceeds the local population of under 50,000 residents. This imbalance has led to issues such as crowded alleyways, congested water buses, and residents relocating to the mainland for more convenience. The day-tripper fee is part of a broader strategy to rebalance the tourism industry in Venice, encouraging sustainable travel practices and supporting the city’s long-term viability. The pilot program will provide valuable data to inform future policies aimed at managing tourist flows and preserving Venice’s cultural heritage.
