On Friday, Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said he would "study" a proposed entrance fee for Venice, set to be implemented next year in order to ease overcrowding in the iconic city of lagoons.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has said that tourists who book their entry into Venice when the new system first starts next year will have a discount on the fee.
On Friday, Sangiuliano’s commented:
"I'll study (the fee proposals), I'll take an in-depth look at the issues, and then I'll express a definite point of view. In general, I say that the issue of overcrowding in art cities, which puts the cities themselves at risk, must be addressed."
The minister failed to comment on how he thought the new proposed fee should be levied.
"I will be able to say that only when I have studied the dossier in depth. Something, of course, must be done to ensure a lightening and compatibility of access to cities, also considering the legal problems related to the international mobility of people."
An entrance fee for Venice has been in talks for many years, with the medieval city’s delicate infrastructure unable to sustain the hordes of tourists who flock to its lagoons year upon year. The city’s struggle with over-tourism peaked in the lead up to the pandemic, welcoming a whopping 30 million visitors, many of whom entered for just one day, in the year 2019.
The launch date for the new entry system of January 16, 2023 was announced earlier this year by Venice’s councillor for tourism Simone Venturini.
The system will require tourists to book a visit to Venice in advance. Once confirmed, visitors will receive a QR code that will be scanned at electric turnstiles scattered throughout Venice’s main access points.
The booking system will require visitors not planning to stay the night to pay a single fee that could reach up to ten euro in summer peak season, but is set to drop down to prices around three euro in quieter times.
