From today 25/4, all tourists who want to visit Venice for one day are asked to pay a ticket of 5 euros. The charge (£4.30) aims to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site from the effects of over-tourism, deterring day-trippers and, according to the mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, making the town viable again.
Venice is the first major city in the world to implement such a regime.
The entrance ticket, which is only required to access the historic center of Venice, is booked online and will be valid for 29 days, mostly weekends. The tourist season for Venice is at its peak from April 25th to July 14th.
Up to 300 euros fine
Residents, workers, students and children under 14, as well as overnight tourists, are exempt from paying a ticket, according to the Guardian.
After tourists book their ticket online, they will then be provided with a QR code. Those without will be able to buy a ticket on arrival, with the help of attendants, who will also carry out random checks at five main arrival points, including Santa Lucia train station. Those who do not have a ticket risk fines between 50-300 euros.
However today several committees and residents’ associations have planned protests arguing that the fee will not solve the problem.
