Credits: Canva
Venice has launched a new scheme that will charge day-trippers for entering the historic Italian city.
Credits: Canva
Italy has taken this step to ease the pressure of mass tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage site - Venice.
Credits: Canva
The scheme is under a trial system and will charge visitors €5 (₹445.5). They have also stationed inspectors to carry out spot checks at key entry points.
Credits: Canva
To understand the tourist pressure in Venice, officials revealed that around 10,000 tickets had been sold by the time the scheme began at 8:30 AM (local time) on April 25.
Credits: Canva
The ‘Venice Access Fee’ is being applicable on 29 busy days throughout 2024. This is mostly on weekends from May to July.
Credits: Canva
The goal is to persuade day-trippers to visit during quieter times. Also, there is no limit to the number of tickets available on any given day.
Credits: Canva
Overnight visitors will be exempt from this entry fee. This is because they already pay a tourist tax. Also, minors under the age of 14 are exempted.
Credits: Canva
UNESCO threatened to put Venice on its list of ‘heritage in danger' list last year. This is also considered a reason why Italy decided to restrict tourist entry with this ticketing system.
Credits: Canva
In 2021, Venice banned massive cruise ships that carried thousands of day-trippers daily as an effort to reduce the pressure of mass tourism.
Credits: Canva