VENICE, Italy: Venice is set to implement a groundbreaking measure this week by charging day trippers for entry, becoming the first city globally to adopt such a strategy to address the challenges of overtourism.
Starting Thursday, day visitors will be required to purchase a five-euro ($5.3) ticket, monitored by inspectors stationed at key entry points within the UNESCO world heritage site.
Venice, renowned as one of the world’s top tourist destinations, hosted a staggering 3.2 million overnight visitors in the historic center alone in 2022, vastly outnumbering its resident population of 50,000. Additionally, tens of thousands of day trippers flood into the city daily, particularly during peak tourist seasons, often arriving via cruise ships to explore iconic sites like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
The introduction of entry tickets aims to encourage day trippers to visit during quieter periods, thus mitigating the strain of overwhelming crowds.
Initially, tickets will be required on 29 busy days throughout 2024, predominantly weekends from May to July. This initiative is closely monitored as global tourist destinations grapple with escalating visitor numbers that strain local infrastructure, threaten ecosystems, and jeopardize historical sites.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro described the ticketing scheme as an unprecedented experiment globally, emphasizing the goal to enhance Venice’s livability.
Venice, situated across more than 100 small islands in northeastern Italy, holds UNESCO world heritage status for its architectural marvels. However, it faced a UNESCO threat to list it as a heritage site in danger due to mass tourism and rising water levels attributed to climate change.
The ticketing proposal had been under consideration for some time, delayed over concerns of impacting tourism revenue and freedom of movement. Despite debates over its efficacy, the city council approved the system following discussions with UNESCO.
The new fee targets daily tourists entering the old town between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, exempting hotel guests, minors under 14, and individuals with disabilities. Tickets can be obtained as QR codes from the Venice City Pass website (https://cda.ve.it/en/), with inspectors performing spot checks at major entry points.
While the measure aims to alleviate overtourism, it will be implemented with flexibility, employing “very soft controls” and focusing on visitor education and compliance rather than punitive measures. Those found without tickets may face fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros, reinforcing efforts to strike a balance between tourism sustainability and preserving Venice’s unique heritage and environment.
