On April 25th, Venice initiated a groundbreaking measure, becoming the first city in the world to levy charges on day-trippers in an effort to address the challenges posed by mass tourism. However, this move has been met with opposition from protesters who argue against reducing the historic Italian city to a mere tourist attraction, with some protestors going as far as equaling the famed city to a mere theme park.
As part of a trial program, visitors embarking on day trips to Venice are required to purchase a €5 (S$7.30) ticket, with inspectors conducting random checks at major entry points.
Despite being renowned as one of the most breathtaking cities globally, Venice grapples with the overwhelming influx of tourists, threatening its cultural and environmental integrity.
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By late morning, the mayor’s office reported the sale of approximately 13,000 tickets, available either through online purchase or at the newly established ticket office located at the Santa Lucia train station.
The Venice Access Fee is being initially implemented on 29 peak days throughout 2024, predominantly weekends spanning from May to July. There is no predetermined limit on ticket availability; instead, the objective is to encourage day trippers to explore Venice during less congested periods.
“I think it’s beneficial because it may help reduce the tourist influx in Venice,” remarked Mr. Sylvain Pelerin, a French tourist with over 50 years of visiting experience.
Exceptions to the fee include overnight visitors, minors under the age of 14, and other specified categories who are already subject to a tourist tax.
However, some residents strongly oppose the measure, arguing that it restricts fundamental rights to freedom of movement. Approximately 300 individuals staged a protest near the station on the morning of April 25, brandishing signs with messages such as “Stick it to the ticket!” and “Venice is not for sale!”
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro described the new initiative as an “experiment,” emphasizing that it will be monitored with “gentle controls” and implemented “without queues.” Unlike conventional turnstiles or barriers, inspectors will conduct checks at key entry points to the city.
Individuals found without tickets may face fines ranging from €50 to €300. However, it was later revealed that ticket enforcement was not anticipated on April 25, as authorities aimed to persuade rather than penalize.
The initiative is under close observation as tourist destinations worldwide grapple with the challenges posed by large influxes of visitors, who contribute to the local economy but also risk overwhelming indigenous communities and delicate landmarks.
Venice, situated across more than 100 small islands and islets in northeastern Italy, gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. However, the surge in individuals seeking to experience what UNESCO describes as an “extraordinary architectural masterpiece” has become unmanageable.
During peak periods, the historic center of Venice accommodates 100,000 overnight visitors, doubling the resident population of merely 50,000. Additionally, tens of thousands more flock to the city’s narrow streets for day trips, often arriving from cruise ships to marvel at landmarks such as St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
In 2023, UNESCO threatened to place Venice on its list of endangered heritage sites, citing mass tourism and rising water levels in its lagoon attributed to climate change. Venice narrowly avoided this designation after local authorities agreed to implement the new ticketing system.
Prior to this, in 2021, authorities had already imposed a ban on massive cruise ships, from which thousands of day trippers disembarked daily, rerouting them to a more distant industrial port.
The concept of ticketing had long been a topic of debate but was consistently postponed due to concerns that it would significantly impact tourist revenue and infringe upon freedom of movement.
