THE Venice shocked by violent conflicts today between police and protesters protesting the controversial new “tourist tax”, which city entry ticket for same day visitors.
According to Daily Mailthe protesters with placards and banners they flooded the historic canals and narrow alleys of the Italian city, against the unprecedented initiative, which supposedly aimed at cracking down on over-tourism.
The episodes contrasted with the activity of the gondoliers, who in the midst of the unrest continued to transport tourists to and from the city’s monuments, representing the contradiction between Tourism Development and residential sustainability.
The controversial ticket
In a world first, the municipal authorities of Venice decided for the first time to charge entry ticket to the residential fabric of a cityalthough it applies especially to its historical center.
Critics argue that the €5 fee is unlikely to deter the estimated 30 million tourists who visit Venice each year and could tarnish the city’s image.
“I can tell you that almost the entire city is against it,” said Mr Matteo Cecchi, who heads Venessia.com, an activist group. “You can’t tax a city, all they do is turn it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice…Are we kidding?’
The former also took a position mayor city’s, Masimo Kakiariwho addressing the tourists asked them to refuse to pay the “unreasonable price”since they are already “charged for everything”.
How the measure will work
The ticket is for entrance to the historic center of Venice, can be booked online and will be valid during peak tourist season. From today, that is, until July 14. And this to you trial stage to see if there will be any results.
Of measure are excluded locals, workers, students and children under 14, as well as overnight tourists.
Day-trippers, however, will need to purchase their ticket and will then be provided with a QR code. Those who do not have one, will be able to purchase a ticket on arrival, with the help of local attendants.
They will also carry out random checks at five main arrival points, including Santa Lucia train station. Those without a ticket are at risk fines between 50 and 300 euros.
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