Venice has become the pioneer in implementing a payment system for tourists, aiming to address the overwhelming crowds flooding its canals during peak holiday seasons. The initiative, which charges a 5-euro (RM24.35) fee, is designed to manage tourist influx and preserve the city’s delicate ecosystem.
Signs indicating the new entry fee were erected outside key entry points like the train station, informing visitors of the requirement before exploring the city’s historic alleyways. This move, initiated on April 25 and enforced on 29 days throughout the year, seeks to balance tourism with sustainability, addressing concerns raised by UNESCO regarding Venice’s fragile environment.
While the entry fee exempts certain groups like hotel guests, children under 14, residents, students, and workers, it aims to discourage excessive tourism and mitigate the impact on Venice’s infrastructure. The city’s efforts also include banning large cruise ships from the Venetian lagoon and implementing restrictions on tourist group sizes.
According to Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, the introduction of the entry fee is part of Venice’s ongoing strategy to make the city more livable for both residents and visitors. “We are not closing the city,” he stated, “but we are implementing measures to ensure its sustainability.”
In response to the growing challenges posed by mass tourism, Venice’s move to introduce an entry fee and other measures underscores its proactive approach in addressing the issue. As a result, future strategies may involve implementing variable pricing to further manage tourist arrivals.
