Press
Will crowded streets in Venice soon be a thing of the past? The lagoon city introduces the controversial entrance fee. Locals, however, are raging.
Venice – Holidaymakers now have to pay an entrance fee for a day trip to Venice. Five euros per day has been due on certain days since April 25th. With this, Italy wants to declare war on mass tourism – apparently much to the annoyance of the locals.
“We don’t want to be controlled”: From now on there is an entry fee for visiting Venice
On 29 selected days, tourists in the Italian lagoon city must pay the fee between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Anyone who refuses and is caught faces a fine of up to 300 euros. However, overnight guests will not be asked to pay. There are also exceptions for children under 14 and others – such as students. “Our goal is to make Venice more livable,” said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, explaining the measure.
This is how the ticket system works in Venice
Visitors to the lagoon city have to pay a fee of five euros on certain days. The corresponding ticket can on-line or purchased at a local counter. Holidaymakers will then receive a corresponding QR code. Overnight guests also need a QR code, but don't have to pay anything for it. This is available from the hotel or landlord.
However, many locals see it differently. There were already demonstrations at the start of the new regulation. “We are absolutely against this entry. We don't want to be controlled. And we can't turn the city into a ticketed museum. It's a shame,” he quoted BR a demonstrator. “It is pure madness, this measure is completely unlawful and unconstitutional. “In no city in the world do you pay an entrance fee,” criticized former mayor Massimo Cacciari.
“We have to do something”: Mayor defends Venice entrance fee
However, many holidaymakers from abroad understand. “That’s fine,” the Italian news agency quoted him as saying Ansa a tourist. The only problem is the waiting time in line. The total number of registrations on the second day already rose to 127,900. However, many of them are overnight guests or are exempt from the regulation because, for example, they are visiting relatives.
“The first success, I would say, is cultural. So convey to the Italians and tourists how fragile Venice is. And that the state must also support Venice,” said Mayor Brugnaro at the start. “I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but we have to do something, we can't just talk.”
The fee is a test phase until the end of the year. We will then evaluate what happens next. On particularly busy days, the entry price could be increased. But that's not all: from June 2024, Venice will probably also ban larger tour groups in the city. There are also new restrictions for travelers to Italy on the “Cinque Terre”.
#Locals #rage #Venice #fee #shame