The experimental ticket to access the historic center of Venice starts. On the first day, over 80 thousand people registered, only seven thousand paid for the voucher. Here’s who is exempt from the tax
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The trial of the entry ticket to Venice starts today, Thursday 25 April, a measure introduced by the authorities to crack down on excessive tourism. Visitors who do not pay the entrance fee to the historic center risk fines of between 50 and 300 euros. The tax will be applied for 29 days between April and mid-July as a pilot test to day tourists not resident in Veneto who do not stay in hotels, guest houses and B&Bs in the city.
“We must safeguard the residents’ spaces, of course, and we must discourage the arrival of excursion ships on certain days. We must find a balance, a new balance between tourists and residents,” explained Simone Venturini, Venice city councilor. .
The authorities have avoided describing the tax as a tax and they downplayed the possibility of waiting to enter the city, stressing that there will be no turnstiles or physical barriers.
Venice has long been under pressure from excessive tourism, but officials say pre-pandemic estimates of 25-30 million visitors per year are not reliable and that the pilot project aims to produce more accurate figures.
Venetians uncertain about the impact of the ticket
Some Venetians are unconvinced that the entrance fee or associated fines will have any real impact on the city. “They should explain where all this revenue will go“, says Venice resident Nicola Ussardi. “Why yes, they should fix the thousands and thousands of abandoned houses that we have in this city. But they won’t, residents continue to leave the city, the city is emptying and we are only increasing tourism in this city.”
How the ticket works in Venice and who is exempt
As part of the pilot project, visitors arriving at the main train and bus stations will be greeted by staff who will remind tourists of the new obligation and assist those who have not yet downloaded the QR code. Payment points will also be set up for those who do not have a smartphone.
Authorities stressed that the system aims to reduce crowding on peak days, encourage longer visits and improve residents’ quality of life.
The rate does not apply to those staying in Venice, including the mainland districts of Marghera and Mestre.
Those who go to Venice from 4pm to 8.30am or those who visit the smaller islands are also exempt from payment, as are children under 14, disabled people and their companions. Spouses, partners and relatives of residents in Veneto up to the third degree also do not pay the ticket. The exemption also applies to those who, without family ties, go to visit people resident and domiciled in Venice or on the smaller islands. Free entry for employees or self-employed workers, for students of any level and order of schools and universities located in the lagoon and all the subjects and members of the families of those who appear to have paid the IMU in the Municipality of Venice.
How many tickets sold in Venice on the first day
On the first day of the experiment, over 80 thousand people registered their presence in the city. According to data updated as of Wednesday afternoon, However, only seven thousand paid the 5 euro ticket. All other accesses are by people exempt from the tax. Among those registered there are also over 30 thousand guests of the accommodation facilities and around 10 thousand Venetians, potential ‘day’ holidaymakers.
