Venice: The 5 euro “tourist tax” is divisive – Clashes between police and residents – Newsbomb – News

Violent clashes broke out in Venice today, the first day of implementation of a controversial new “tourist tax” on short-stay visitors.

Protesters with placards and banners lined the city’s historic canals and narrow alleys to show their disdain for the new policy aimed at cracking down on over-tourism during peak periods.

Critics say the €5 fee, which runs from today until May 5 and weekends until July 14, is unlikely to significantly reduce the roughly 30 million tourists who arrive in Venice annually, and could backfire by tarnishing the public image of the city.

Former mayor Massimo Cacciari went so far as to suggest that tourists flatly refuse to pay the “absurd” entrance fee, arguing that they already “pay for everything”.

Despite calls from residents’ groups to review the plan, Venice today became the first city in the world to charge day-trip tourists an entrance fee, aiming to reduce the number of short-stay visitors who cause unmanageable rush-hour congestion.

The so-called “tourist tax” has been controversial from the start, with several residents’ committees and associations preparing their reaction for today, the first day of the measure’s implementation.

Representatives argue the fee won’t fix fundamental issues, but will tarnish the city’s public image.

Under the new rules, a fee will be charged to tourists who pass through the city without staying overnight, in an effort to manage tourist flow.

The scheme will only be implemented on the 29 busiest days of the calendar year, from today until May 5, and on weekends until July 14 within certain time frames. Those who choose to stay overnight in a hotel will be excluded.

Residents, commuters, students and children under 14 are exempt from the fees.

But from today, day-trippers will have to buy a ticket online, with fines ranging from €50 to €300.

Venice’s population has been steadily declining in recent years, in part as residents leave and rent their apartments to tourists.

In turn, this reduces the supply of available housing and makes housing more expensive for residents.

Barcelona faced a similar problem and, in 2021, set a precedent by becoming the first European city to ban short-term private room rentals of less than 31 days.

Rome and Milan, two of Italy’s most touristic cities, have also sought to curb short-term room rentals as rents rise and wages stabilize.

Venetians are also concerned that short-term visitors spend less than tourists who rent rooms or book hotels for several days.