Venice (Italy) to test charging visitors from April 2024

At a press conference on November 23, the Venice city government said the move is aimed at managing tourist traffic during the spring holidays and some summer weekends when visitor numbers are at their highest.

The regulations will apply from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a trial period of 29 days and then most weekends from April 25 to mid-July next year.

Tourists will have to book a tour online and pay 5 euros ($5.45) to get a QR code that will grant them access to the city's historic areas.

The restrictions will not apply to smaller islands in the lagoon, such as Murano, famous for its glassmaking industry. Those who do not comply will be fined between €50 and €310. People born in Venice, as well as students, workers and residents of the city, will be exempt from the fees and reservations, said city councillor Michele Zuin.

Visitors under 14 years old need to register but access will be free.

Mass tourism and flooding have long been problems for the fragile city of Venice, known for its canals and cultural sites.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the city government wanted to measure the impact of the experiment, noting that the initial trial would be a loss-making one. The trial is estimated to have cost 3 million euros, with an estimated return of 700,000 euros.

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