Venice officials are now considering doubling the controversial tourist tax to €10 (AU$16) after a successful summer trial, which generated €2.4 million (AU$4 million) to help better manage the impact of overtourism in the historic city.
The €5 (AU$8) tax, which ran from April 25 to July 14, 2024, was paid 485,062 times, generating approximately €2.4 million ($4 million AUD) over 29 days. The trial applied to day-trippers and included paper access tickets, accounting for around 1,000 entrances each day.
The fee, a first-of-its-kind experiment, aimed to manage visitor influx more effectively, preserve the city’s unique heritage, and discourage what the City of Venice tourism described on its website as ‘hit-and-run’ tourism.
During the trial period, Italians made up 60 per cent of visitors, followed by tourists from the US, Germany, and France, who accounted for 6.5 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively.
Following what has been hailed as a successful trial, city officials suggested the tax might be extended next year and potentially doubled to €10 (AU$16) on certain days. However, no immediate announcements were made, with final decisions expected in the autumn after a full data analysis.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro mentioned that the city would consider adjusting the fee based on whether it was paid in advance. He also defended the tax against critics who argued it did not deter arrivals, which was its initial purpose.
Speaking to the media, Brugnaro stated, “We listened to citizens, to associations, to thousands of people, but in the end, there were no alternative solutions to ours. We thought to take this road of the controls, which were light enough, not invasive.”
How did the Venice tourist tax work?
The process of pre-purchasing the Venice tourist tax was straightforward and designed to ensure smooth entry into the city.
Visitors not staying in local accommodation were required to download a QR code as proof of payment. Officials noted that paying the tax took an average of two minutes. Exemptions included hotel guests (who already pay a lodging tax), Veneto region residents, visitors under 14, and those visiting relatives.
Random checks were conducted from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, with fines for non-compliance ranging from €50 to €300 (AU$83 to $500). Access to Venice was free outside these hours.
By paying in advance, visitors could avoid delays, reduce congestion at entry points and contribute to a more efficient management of tourist flow within the city.
Where will the proceeds from the tourist tax go?
The funds generated from the tourist tax are reportedly earmarked for several critical areas. Primarily, the revenue will be used to maintain and preserve Venice’s unique cultural and architectural heritage, ensuring that the city’s historic buildings and landmarks remain in good condition.
Additionally, the funds will support infrastructure improvements to better manage the large number of tourists, enhancing the overall visitor experience. Investments will also be made in environmental protection initiatives to safeguard the delicate Venetian lagoon and surrounding ecosystems from the impacts of over-tourism.
Venice is grappling with overtourism, with up to 30 million annual visits. The trialled day-tripper tax, delayed by the pandemic, has been praised by UNESCO member states. Venice’s top tourist official, Simone Venturini, called the fee “a cultural revolution,” highlighting its role in providing exact data on city entries and exits.
The trial follows Venice’s broader efforts to manage over-tourism and preserve its cultural heritage, including prohibiting large cruise ships from entering the delicate Venetian and setting limits on tourist group sizes. From 1 June 2024, parties exploring the historic centre and islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello were capped at 25 people, half the capacity of a typical tourist coach.
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