Exclusive: Venice u-turns on overtourism tax this summer despite record visitor numbers

Venice has introduced that their entry payment for vacationers has been postponed till subsequent 12 months.

The change comes on the final minute, as that they had beforehand stated the system can be trialled in June 2022. Nevertheless, the town’s authorities voted to delay the introduction of the payment till the beginning of 2023.

Why is Venice introducing a vacationer tax?

As revealed by Euronews Journey final month, the Italian metropolis’s authorities introduced the choice to bring in the entry fee after the canal city was inundated with guests over the Easter weekend.

They stated the tax is critical for curbing the overwhelming variety of daytrippers visiting the historic centre.

The cost system has been within the pipeline since earlier than the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless it was postponed amid COVID journey restrictions.

As customer numbers returned to pre-pandemic ranges earlier within the spring, the town council determined to maneuver ahead with the entry payment.

This follows Venice’s ban on cruise ships, imposed final summer time, and the introduction of a video surveillance system that screens the circulate of vacationers by the town’s streets.

Earlier than the pandemic, the lagoon metropolis had been scuffling with unsustainable vacationer numbers. In peak season, as many as 110,000 vacationers visited the town in a single day, far outnumbering the resident inhabitants which at the moment stands at round 50,000.

Whereas the surveillance cameras have been likened to “massive brother” measures, residents of Venice have been calling for stricter customer rules for years.

Who should pay the entry payment?

The doorway payment shall be relevant to guests arriving in Venice for the day. Travellers who e book to remain in a single day in a lodge within the historic centre are exempt from the added price as they already pay a metropolis tax of as much as €5 an evening.

Residents, college students and commuters may even not must pay as much as enter the town.

It’s hoped the reserving system and entry payment will assist to control the variety of guests to the historic centre, significantly these staying only for the day.

How a lot is the Venice vacationer tax?

As of 2023, daytrippers to Venice should pre-book their go to and pay an entrance payment utilizing a devoted reserving app. The fee will range from €3 in off-season to €10 on significantly busy days. There are additionally plans to put in digital turnstiles at entry factors to the town.

When will the payment be launched?

Venice city council have introduced that the reserving and cost system shall be reside as of January sixteenth, 2023.