It’s historic travel news: in what the country’s tourism board is calling a “unique experiment,” the famous canal city of Venice, Italy, is implementing what it labels “a daily access fee.” The controversial ‘visitor’s tax’ takes effect April 25 after years of debate and delay.

 

The move is a pilot project that officials hope will ease the pressures of “over-tourism” in one of the most popular and vulnerable historic city destinations in the world. If successful, supporters hope the tourist toll will allow the city to become more liveable for its own residents – which in turn, will nurture the famous Venetian lifestyle that visitors to the city come in search for.

 

Venice has already – again, after years of debate and delay – banned large ships in the Grand Canal and Lagoon of the city. The toll on day trippers will also affect large ship cruise passengers who will now have to dock outside Venice and be coached into the city. 

 

“Starting today, Venice is pioneering a unique experiment - a daily access fee for the city.

On 29 selected days throughout 2024 (April 25-30, May 1-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, June 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, July 6-7, 13-14), a €5 ticket will be required for day visitors entering Venice between 8:30 AM and 4 PM.”

 

Access to Venice after 4 PM and until 8:30 AM is free.

 

Staffed checkpoints are set up at key entry points into Venice “to ensure compliance.” Day-trippers who don’t buy the ticket risk being fined up to 300 euro.

 

However, there are exemptions: for locals and youths and those staying inside Venice. Those with overnight reservations inside the city already pay a city tax with their hotel booking, but you’ll have to have a QR code to pass through checkpoints/ access gates.

 

According to Visit Italy, tickets are available online (here: https://cda.ve.it/en/ ), at tobacco shops, and payment points at Piazzale Roma and Venice Station.

 

Tourism officials also encourage visitors to consider purchasing the Venice Pass for unlimited public transport and access to major attractions—to save time and get around using more sustainable public infrastructure: https://www.venicepass.eu/

 

“Explore Venice Responsibly!” A statement from tourism officials declares. “Let's embrace this new initiative to maintain the beauty and heritage of our enchanting city.”

 

 

Venice’s ‘experiment’ is one that the travel world – and especially other high-traffic destinations struggling with negative effects of their own popularity – are watching closely. Addressing ‘over-tourism’ is one of the components for more calls for more sustainable and responsible travel.

 

·     Will other cities and destinations that have been sounding the alarms about “over-tourism” follow suit?

·     How expensive does a ‘tourist toll’ need to be to reduce visitor traffic to manageable levels in popular places?

·     Will ‘tourist tolls’ become so expensive that some of the most iconic places on earth may become inaccessible to many travel lovers?

 

 

1.    Spread the Travel Love Around: as popular destinations have been getting busier, savvy travelers are looking into paths less followed. Off-the-beaten path destinations have many of the same charms (and sometimes more! If you don’t love crowds and lineups) as their more-famous counterparts – and may be more welcoming to visitors. In addition, you know your travel budget is supporting a new local economy.

2.    Consider Popular Destinations During the Shoulder or ‘Off’ Season: that’s when they are less busy. Destinations still want visitors, they just don’t want their infrastructure or community overwhelmed. Traveling there during the slow season smooths out spikes in traffic.

3.    Your Expert Travel Advisor is Your Best Resource: they can help you navigate an increasingly complex travel landscape, with ways to maximize your budget (and potentially avoid paying a tourist toll), have the best visitor experience in a popular destination or help you discover a new, less-traveled destination you’ll love as much as the more famous ones.