Venice Considers €100 Entry Fee Amid Surge in Day-Tripper Tourism

Venice is facing calls to significantly increase its entry fee for day-tripping visitors as tourism numbers surge. The city, which attracts approximately 30 million tourists annually, currently charges €5 (£4.20) for visitors without hotel or Airbnb bookings. Local businessman Setrak Tokatzian has proposed raising this fee to €100 (£86) in an effort to combat overtourism, which he claims is pushing the city into a “state of calamity.”

Tokatzian, who is the president of the St Mark’s Square residents’ association, argues that the current situation is unsustainable. He notes that data reveals seven out of ten visitors to Venice are day-trippers who often do not contribute to the local economy. “This tourism is obscene,” he stated in an interview with the local newspaper Corriere del Veneto. “There’s a complete explosion of overtourism like never before, with people wandering around without entering shops or even knowing where they are.”

The existing entry fee was introduced on April 25, 2022, but Tokatzian contends that the rise in visitor numbers necessitates an increase of 20 times the current rate. He believes that a higher fee would help to regulate the influx of tourists and encourage more responsible tourism practices.

Between April and July of this year, a temporary levy of €5 to €10 (£8.35) was implemented for tourists making last-minute reservations. Those visiting during peak hours had to pay the higher rate, which aimed to manage the flow of visitors during busy periods. Despite these measures, the proposal for a €100 fee has sparked criticism.

Former president of the St Mark’s Square association, Claudio Vernier, expressed his concerns about the effectiveness of such a high entry fee. He took to social media to share his view: “To believe that an entry fee of €100 can solve this sick system is a pure illusion. Asking €100 to enter does not educate the visitor. It doesn’t teach them respect, and it doesn’t make them more aware.” Vernier also cautioned that those willing to pay such an amount may expect a “perfect, luxurious, frictionless ‘theme park’ experience,” which is unrealistic in a city with Venice’s historic and delicate character.

As the debate continues, local authorities are weighing the potential implications of a drastic increase in entry fees. The challenge is balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of Venice’s unique cultural heritage. The outcome of this discussion could set a precedent for how other popular tourist destinations manage visitor access in the future.