From April 25, Venice will charge an entrance fee of 5 euros per person for visitors who do not stay overnight during peak days. After 11 days (April 25-May 5), the city government earned nearly 1 million euros.
The amount raised was considered “beyond expectations” but was still less than the cost of setting up an online ticketing system for tourists, promoting the campaign and paying ticket inspectors. According to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the initial “capital” spent by the Venetian government was 3 million euros.
However, visitor numbers have not been affected, and are “in fact much higher than in previous years,” according to Andrea Martini of All The City Together. One councillor said the measure “failed miserably” because it was designed to prevent overtourism in the city. Martini said the fee “earned some money” but “didn’t save the soul of the city.”
“Venice is in disrepair because it is neglected. It is more like it is used only to make money,” Martini said.
Admission fee applies to visitors to the city during the day, from 8am to 4pm. Locals, working people, students, children under 14 years old are free.
Local authorities say this is a trial campaign. After the trial period, the entrance fee could double to 10 euros per day. In addition, the authorities will also impose fines of up to 300 euros for those who do not pay.
The entrance fee has also been opposed by many locals, who say it will turn Venice into a Disneyland where everyone who comes to visit has to buy a ticket. Since the fee was introduced, many websites in Italy have shared ways to help day-trippers avoid the fee. One of them is that supporters of the Venice football team can come to watch football matches to avoid paying the 5 euros. Locals have shared that if visitors are invited by Venetians, they don't have to pay and are willing to provide these free QR codes to visitors. Some activists in Venice have even set up a website to help people share "friend codes" with day-trippers.
TB (according to VnExpress)Source
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