On the third day of the access contribution to Venice, the city recorded massive tourist participation with 80 thousand presences in the city. The contribution was paid by almost 22,000 payers. This figure comes alongside over 58,000 exempted as guests staying in accommodation facilities, already subject to the tourist tax. A slight increase in arrivals of residents in Veneto was observed compared to the previous day. At the same time, the number of students (13,000), workers (20,500) and owners of properties subject to taxes such as IMU or holders of rental contracts (6,700) who maintained their residence in the ancient city remained stable. The checks carried out verified a total of 19,000 QR-codes, without highlighting any significant critical issues.
Today, Sunday, the fourth day in which the entrance fee is expected, which will be followed by those of 29 and 30 April; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 May; 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 June; 6, 7, 13 and 14 July 2024, always at the same times.
As the mayor of Venice recalled: “The objective of the access contribution is to make the city livable for residents, workers, students and tourists. Everyone must receive the utmost respect, but everyone must also respect the City: we have a moral duty to hand over its beauty to the next generations. I hope, with humility, to convince those against, as was the case with the MOSE at the time. We had fierce demonstrations but then it worked and now it protects the city. I’m also ready to say, I made a mistake, but the important thing is to do things! Tomorrow we will be ready to welcome the visit of Pope Francis, who will first visit the Giudecca women’s prison, then meet the young people of the Triveneto at the Basilica della Salute and then celebrate the holy mass in Piazza San Marco. He will be a beautiful image of faith and brotherhood in the setting of Venice, a symbol of freedom and welcome.”
Even today and for all the other days in which the payment of the access fee is expected, physical gates will be active at the main access points to the City, distinct from priority gates for residents and workers. Stewards will check visitors’ QR codes and will be available to help those who do not have one to download the entry ticket on site and pay the fee. Once past the gates, if anyone does not have the access fee they will be fined by the inspectors who will carry out random checks.
