Officials in Venice, Italy, have revealed additional details about a new entrance fee designed to reduce "tourist peaks" and "manage tourist flows" that will take effect on Jan. 16, 2023.
Venice's councilor for tourism, Simone Venturini called the new tax a solution for the overtourism problem that has long plagued the coveted destination, with proceeds of the plan to mitigate the flocks of daytrippers being used to lower the taxes of Venetians.
The cost will range from 3 to 10 euros and will vary based on the number of requests for entry, meaning travelers can expect to pay more on the busiest days.
The fee will apply to the Venice historic center as well as the following islands: Lido di Venezia, Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant'Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, S. Andrea, La Certosa, S. Servolo, S. Clemente and Poveglia.
The city’s new ticket booking system and online platform will be unveiled this fall. According to Michele Zuin, councilor for the budget, residents and children under age 6 will be exempt from the fee in addition to disabled individuals, homeowners, those arriving for health reasons or to visit relatives, and travelers coming to attend a sporting or cultural event. Overnight hotel guests are exempt since they’ll already be paying a tourist tax through their hotel property.
The entrance fee was originally scheduled to take effect this summer but was postponed to early next year.
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