Italy’s famous city of Venice has started collecting fees from tourists. Foreign tourists entering Venice must now pay a fee through an app. The main purpose of levying the fee by the local body is to control the administrative expenses due to the increasing number of tourists.
Venice is the first city in the world to charge entry fees to tourists. The influx of tourists to Venice has increased greatly, resulting in difficulties for the administration. Venice is a city of canals with boats. These boats are a special attraction for tourists. During the holiday season, the influx of tourists in Venice increases greatly, which also increases the administrative difficulties.
From today (April 25), any foreign tourist arriving in Venice with the intention of not staying overnight will have to pay a €5 entry fee. There is no official monitoring system at the entry points of the city, but inspectors will patrol and check. Those who enter Venice without paying the entry fee can be fined 50 to 300 dirhams.
The mayor of Venice, Huigi Bergnaro, says that no entrance fees have been imposed so far. We are not closing down the city but trying to keep it livable. Last year, about 20 million people visited Venice. Half of them were staying at some hotel or lodge in Venice. Venice has a population of only 250,000.