Venice's 5-euro fee for day visitors brought in 1.7 million pounds, but critics say it failed to curb the tourist crowds. The program ran for 29 days between April and mid-July, yet opponents argue it did little to ease congestion or improve life for locals.
Now, with plans to double the fee next year, the debate over Venice's future and privacy concerns continues to heat up.
Venice Tourist Fee Sparks Heated Debate
A new attempt by Venice to control the flow of tourists by introducing a 5-euro entrance fee has stirred up controversy. Though it netted about 1.7 million pounds, according to critics, very little was done toward the crucial goal of reducing the crowds.
The fee, which lasted 29 days from April to mid-July, was a bid to keep down the number of people in peak periods. Despite that, the city saw an average of 75,000 visitors every day.
One of them is opposition city council member Giovanni Andrea Martini, who argued, with many others, that the measure had not met expectations, as crowds remained as dense as they could get.
The money generated is to be used to fund necessary services such as waste and cleaning in the uniquely structured city of Venice. However, the local authorities have indicated that although the charge generated substantive money, it did not significantly reduce the influx of tourists into the city.
Venice's tourism official, Simone Venturini, admitted that the system would require some tweaking to get it right next time.
Looking ahead, Venice officials are thinking of doubling the fee to 10 euros next year, hoping for a more meaningful influence.
Critics say boosting the fee risks turning Venice into a "museum" and might deter lower-income visitors. There are also growing concerns about a surveillance system that monitors visitor arrivals by cellphone data.
Related Article: Venice Introduces New Rules to Tackle Over-Tourism, Bans Large Tourist Groups, Loudspeakers
Venice Locals Imitate Tourists' Cooling Off
As the summer heatwave intensifies, both tourists and locals in Venice are taking to the canals to cool off. With temperatures soaring to 35C, even Venetians like 70-year-old retired gondolier Dante Boscolo have started diving into the city's waterways.
Boscolo, wearing a striped T-shirt and cap, posted a video on Facebook showing him floating face down in a canal near Piazza San Marco, mimicking tourists' behavior.
On Friday, a colorful pedalo with a slide was seen navigating the canals of Murano, operated by a man and woman believed to be locals.
Despite the playful scene, the couple avoided fines as small boats are allowed on Murano, though banned on Venice's Grand Canal. Boscolo, however, might face a fine if police verify his dive wasn't an old video, as he claims.
Tourists have long been criticized by Venetians for such behavior. Recently, a Lithuanian tourist was fined €800 for swimming in a canal in his underwear.
Activists protested outside Venice's Santa Lucia train station, saying the €5 tourist tax, which ended on Sunday, failed to reduce tourist numbers.
Councillor Giuseppe Saccà blamed the city's administration for not managing the influx of visitors effectively, noting that Venice is overwhelmed with crowds, packed boats, and long queues. The debate over how to manage tourism in Venice continues.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
