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How effective is Venice's new tourist tax? 1 million euros in just 11 days

2024-05-22 10:05:55Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

How effective is Venice's new tourist tax? 1 million euros in just 11 days

On April 25, Venice introduced an entrance fee for day-trippers to its city. The trial period for this rate covers 29 days in May, June and July including weekends and public holidays.

The measure was put in place to curb the number of visitors staying for just one day. Those behind the fee say they bring less economic benefit to the city than overnight tourists and cause problems like overcrowding.

However, many Venice residents have criticized the entrance ticket as ineffective in controlling visitor numbers, while condemning the city council for neglecting critical issues such as housing. The launch of the charge on April 25 was met with protests from residents and confusion from tourists.

A major misconception was that although visitors who have booked overnight accommodation in Venice are exempt from the day trip fee, they still need to register their presence on the booking platform. Other visitors found the website difficult to navigate and purchasing a ticket was a lengthy process.

Stewards were on hand to check if tourists had downloaded their QR code and guide them through the procedure if not. Residents were also out in force, protesting the fee which they say will not have a significant effect on reducing visitor numbers and avoids addressing more fundamental issues such as the housing crisis.

Critics also say that requiring students and commuters to obtain a QR code (even though they are not required to pay) is impractical. Former Venice mayor Massimo Cacciari has called the fee "absurd" and told tourists not to pay, saying it goes against freedom of movement.

The entrance fee is currently set at €5 and applies to day visitors with exceptions including residents of the Veneto region, students and children under 14. During the first 11 days that the visitor charge was in place – from April 25 to May 5 – the city sold 195,000 tickets raising a total of €977,430.

The amount far exceeded expectations, but is still less than the cost of setting up the online booking system, information campaigns and ticket controls – 3 million euros according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. After the trial period, the fee can be increased to €10 per day. There are also fines of up to 300 euros for those who try to visit without a ticket.

So far, the pilot project has not resulted in a decrease in the number of tourists. A city councilor for Venice has called the move a failure. On May 19, 2024, there were 70,000 entries, while last year on June 2, a national holiday in Italy, only 65,000 were registered.

Several news sites have published articles explaining ways visitors can avoid paying the new fee. British newspaper The Guardian notes that supporters of Venice's soccer team can attend matches in the city without having to cough up €5.

Residents who oppose the entry ticket have pointed to another way to avoid the fee. Visitors invited to Venice by residents of the city, who supply them with a code, are exempt from the fee. Some activists have reportedly set up an unofficial website to facilitate the sharing of friend codes with day-trippers.


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