Early Venetians constructed stone sea walls and adapted their lagoon to combat rising seawater levels. Today, however, they face a different challenge: an influx of “eat and flee” tourists who visit the city’s landmarks, consume packed lunches, and leave without contributing significantly to the local economy.
Beginning Friday, day trippers will be required to pay an entrance fee, a controversial measure aimed at discouraging visits during peak periods. This year, the city has nearly doubled the number of days the fee will be enforced, increasing it to 54 days from 30 days last year. Additionally, visitors who wait until the last minute to obtain their entry permits will incur a fee of 10 euros instead of the standard 5 euros.
The entrance fee was first introduced last year to address the issue of “mordi e fuggi” tourism, which describes short visits that do not financially benefit the city. Simone Venturini, Venice’s municipal councilor for tourism, stated that the fee serves to raise awareness of Venice's unique and fragile nature, advocating for more respectful tourism practices.
Experts have warned that overtourism poses a significant threat to Venice’s delicate ecosystem and historic architecture. In response, the city has banned cruise ships from its lagoon and implemented several measures to alleviate overcrowding. Additionally, the city is under scrutiny from UNESCO, which has expressed concerns that insufficient action is being taken to protect Venice.
In 2023, Venice was at risk of being placed on UNESCO’s list of Endangered World Heritage Sites due to threats from mass tourism, climate change, and development. The city has cited the access fee as a positive step in addressing these concerns, allowing it to remain off the “in danger” list for now. A UNESCO expert mission returned to Venice last fall, and the World Heritage Committee will discuss the city again in July.
For visitors who book their trips in advance, the access fee remains at 5 euros, while those who book within three days of arrival will face a fee of 10 euros. Last year, the city generated approximately 2.8 million euros (about $3.2 million) from the fee, primarily covering the costs of the system, which is still in an experimental phase.
Critics argue that the fee has not succeeded in reducing visitor numbers. An analysis by the Venice city government revealed no significant difference in attendance on days when the fee was enforced compared to days when it was not. In fact, higher attendance was noted on days when the fee was active.
Monica Sambo, an opposition member of the Venice City Council, stated that managing a complex city like Venice cannot be achieved by treating it as a theme park with an entrance fee. She advocates for a more structured approach to tourism regulation, including limits on the number of day trippers and guidelines for tourist accommodation. She emphasized the need for policies that foster affordable housing and job opportunities to counteract the tourist-centric economy that has developed over recent decades.
The fee applies to single-day visitors in Venice between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and will be enforced until late July. A dedicated website has been created for visitors to register and obtain further information.
While most visitors must register and obtain a QR code, exemptions exist for overnight guests at registered accommodations, as they already pay a daily tourist tax, as well as for residents, students, and those visiting family. The city monitors visitor flow through phone location data and security cameras, a system that some critics have described as invasive. Additionally, the city has limited tour groups to 25 people and banned the use of megaphones.
Mr. Venturini noted that the access fee also aids the city in tracking tourist activity, allowing for improved preparation of city services to manage the impacts of tourism, such as transportation and waste management. He described the fee as a unique tool that no other city has implemented.