Venice Starts: Beginning April 25, tourists venturing into the historic core of Venice will encounter a novel requirement: a 5 euro fee, equivalent to roughly Rs 450.
This levy will be enforced for 29 days, predominantly coinciding with national holidays and weekends until mid-July.
The initiative, spearheaded by city authorities, aims to evenly disperse tourist influxes throughout the year.
Venice Starts…..
All visitors during these designated periods must register their presence via an online form. This measure will aid officials in estimating visitor numbers and formulating effective management strategies.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro stressed that the endeavour isn’t profit-centric, as operational costs surpass generated revenue.
Michele Zuin, overseeing budgetary matters, underscored the goal of regulating tourism numbers and discouraging mass visitation, which strains local residents.
Exemptions from the fee include overnight tourists, commuters, familial visitors, and students. Additionally, natives born in Venice and minors under 14 are exempt. There won’t be a cap on visitor numbers permitted into the city.
Venice, with its iconic emergence from the Venetian lagoon, grapples with climate change, rising sea levels, and overtourism.
To combat these challenges, the city has instituted measures like flood barriers and restrictions on canal-penetrating cruise ships.
After registration, visitors will be given a QR code for presentation upon entry. Spot checks will ensure compliance.
Those without a QR code initially can obtain one via smartphone or kiosks near entry points. Violators risk fines ranging upto 300 euros, plus a 10-euro administrative fee.