Day trip tax - a solution for sustainable tourism in Venice

Tourists in Venice, Italy, July 18, 2024

Venice became the first Italian city this year to introduce a special tax on day-trip visitors. After the pilot program ended in July, experts and locals said the initiative had achieved some initial success and needed to be expanded.

According to the above program, when tourists come to Venice, Northern Italy, during the 29 peak days of the summer tourist season from April to July, they must pay a special tax of 5 euros.

Tourists staying overnight in Venice do not have to pay this fee. Those who do not pay this tax when entering the city will be fined between 50 and 300 euros.

After the pilot program was implemented, many locals said that the new tax did not have much effect in limiting tourists from visiting the city. Some even said that the tax was supported by tourists and there were very few negative reviews.

They said that although this is only a first step, it is a positive one and they look forward to the long-term impact of this new tax. Meanwhile, a communications official for the city of Venice said that during the trial period, there were very few fines for tax evasion.

Professor Michele Tamma at Ca' Foscari University in Venice and president of the International Center for Tourism Economics Research based in the ancient canal city, said the toll initiative was the start of a more comprehensive effort to make Venice's tourism more sustainable.

According to him, the idea is not to reduce the total number of tourists or raise funds, but the goal is to be able to allocate the number and time of tourists in the city to serve them more effectively.

Mr. Tamma emphasized that the long-term goal of this initiative is to create a better experience for tourists and protect the city, as well as maintain the quality of life for local people.

TH (according to Vietnam+)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/ap-thue-du-lich-trong-ngay-giai-phap-cho-du-lich-ben-vung-tai-venice-389191.html