Venice officials have lauded the recent implementation of a temporary entrance fee to the city as a successful measure in managing the influx of visitors. The 29-day €5 reservation entrance fee trial, which commenced on April 25 and concluded on July 14, generated €2,425,310 in revenue, surpassing the initial expectation of €700,000.
During the experiment, a total of 3,618,114 individuals made reservations, with exemptions granted to various groups such as hotel guests, workers, students, residents, and individuals related to residents. The data revealed a preference for visiting on Saturdays over Sundays and a gradual decrease in attendance on designated 'red flag days' throughout the trial period.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the experiment, emphasizing the need for further analysis of the collected data in the coming months. Local residents reported a noticeable reduction in crowds, particularly leading up to the Redeemer Festival, compared to previous years.
While the entrance fee officially concluded on July 14, the mayor's office is considering the possibility of reinstating it during peak tourist seasons. Tourism councillor Simone Venturini hailed the trial as a positive step towards understanding and managing visitor numbers effectively.
However, amidst these developments, the mayor and two aides are currently under investigation for alleged corruption related to a commercial property deal with a Singapore developer. Despite denying the accusations, one council member has resigned, and calls for the mayor's resignation have been raised.
