Venice to Extend Day-Tripper Tax in 2024
In a decisive move to combat overtourism, Venice has announced plans to extend its day-tripper tax into next year. This extension will not only increase the number of days tourists are required to pay for entry but will also double the fee for last-minute visitors from €5 to €10, according to city officials. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro emphasized that the primary goal of this tax is to assist the city and its residents in managing the overwhelming influx of tourists, particularly during busy holidays and weekends.
The payment system was initially launched earlier this year as part of a time-limited pilot program aimed at assessing its effectiveness. The decision to implement this long-discussed tax follows a narrow escape from being placed on UNESCO’s list of endangered heritage sites, a situation largely attributed to the adverse effects of overtourism.
How Will Venice’s Entry Fee Function?
The new tax will be enforced every Friday through Sunday and on holidays from April 18 to July 27, amounting to a total of 54 days—nearly double the number of days the fee was applied during the current year. Tourists who fail to make reservations at least four days in advance will face the increased fee of €10, while those who do will still pay the standard rate of €5. The tax is applicable during peak hours, specifically from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Exemptions from the entry fee will be granted to residents, Venetian-born visitors, students, and workers, as well as tourists who have confirmed hotel or other lodging reservations. Additionally, anyone found beyond designated control points without the necessary documentation will incur fines ranging from €50 to €300, in addition to the maximum entrance fee set at €10.
Officials have reiterated that the primary aim of this program is to alleviate crowding on peak days, promote longer stays, and enhance the quality of life for local residents. Importantly, the fee will not apply to anyone residing in Venice, including those living in the mainland districts of Marghera and Mestre. Venice’s islands, including the famous glass-making island of Murano, are also excluded from this pilot program. Various exemptions are available for individuals needing to access the city for work, education, or medical reasons, as well as for those born in Venice and residents of the Veneto region.
Why Has Venice Introduced an Entry Fee?
For years, Venice has grappled with the challenges posed by overtourism. Officials assert that pre-pandemic estimates of 25 to 30 million visitors annually—including day-trippers—are unreliable. The pilot program also aims to gather more accurate data to better manage tourism. In contrast, registered overnight visitors numbered 4.6 million last year, reflecting a 16 percent drop from pre-pandemic levels. The onset of the pandemic delayed Venice’s plans to implement the day-tripper tax, which has now become a cornerstone of the city’s strategy to tackle overtourism.
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UNESCO recognized the city’s efforts in its decision not to list Venice as an endangered world heritage site last September. This decision followed the successful ban on cruise ships traversing St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal—actions that have been crucial in managing tourism. In 2019 alone, cruise ships brought approximately 1.6 million visitors to Venice.
Activists raised alarms last summer when it was reported that the number of tourist beds had officially surpassed the number of residents, which has dwindled to fewer than 50,000 over the years. They contend that this imbalance drains municipal services, congests narrow alleyways and water buses with tourists hauling suitcases, and pushes local residents to seek better living conditions on the mainland.
Was the Trial of the Entry Fee a Success?
At the conclusion of the initial trial phase in July, city officials reported that the tax had generated €2.4 million, reflecting around 1,000 entries on each test day. Mayor Brugnaro responded to critics who labeled the initiative a failure, arguing that it did not deter as many visitors as anticipated. “Venice is the first city in the world striving to manage the issue of overtourism. We have achieved significant results,” the mayor stated.
However, some citizens’ groups and opposition councillors claim that the access fee has not effectively controlled the influx of tourists. “Data from the control room indicate that on average, during the fee implementation period, we recorded around 7,000 additional tourist entries compared to previous years,” said Giovanni Andrea Martini, an opposition councillor. “This clearly demonstrates that the access fee is not a viable solution for managing tourist flows.”