Venice is set to roll out €5 day-tripper tickets next year in an effort to effectively manage the influx of tourists, as announced by the city council.
This ticketing system will be introduced on a trial basis for a duration of 30 days, with a primary focus on the spring holidays and bustling summer weekends when tourist numbers reach their zenith.
The fee will be applicable to all visitors aged 14 and above, aiming to strike a new equilibrium between the interests of residents, students, and workers in Venice and those who come to visit the city, explained Simone Venturini, the city’s tourism advisor.
Originally proposed in 2019, the plan encountered delays primarily due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which deterred tourists. Subsequent delays were attributed to technical and procedural considerations.
Meanwhile, Venice has continued to attract visitors, with foreigners frequently outnumbering the approximately 50,000 inhabitants residing in the heart of the city. Excessive tourism has long posed a challenge for this fragile lagoon city.
In a notable development, UNESCO experts recommended in July that Venice and its lagoon be included on the list of endangered world heritage sites. They argued that Italy has not undertaken sufficient measures to safeguard the city from the dual threats of climate change and mass tourism, as reported by Nezavisne.
