Venice becomes world’s first city to charge entry fee

Venice has implemented a daily entry ticket for day-trippers, requiring them to pay five euros unless they are staying in a local hotel. This initiative aims to address over-tourism and preserve the city’s unique environment. Residents, students, children, and workers are exempt but must pre-book online. However, the move has sparked protests, with some residents expressing concerns about the city becoming a theme park. Despite generating revenue, authorities claim the fee will cover operational costs and help manage tourist influxes. While there’s no cap on visitor numbers, some businesses advocate for restrictions. Venice has taken other measures like banning cruise ships to mitigate over-tourism and preserve its cultural heritage. Efforts to promote sustainable tourism emphasize the need to redirect visitors to less crowded areas of the city.

Source – CGTN