by InTrieste
Venice has once again postponed its contentious plan to introduce a visitor entry fee which had been due to come into effect on 16 January 2023.
The booking system, which will involve an entry fee for day-tripper tourists arriving in the lagoon city, has now been pushed forward at least six months, reports state broadcaster RAI.
The reservation system would require visitors to book online their visit to the city where, on arrival, they would enter via electronic turnstile gates at key access points.
The entry fee proposal was first raised several years ago by the city’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro who said the system would tackle over-crowding and “hit-and-run” tourism.
However the city council has now postponed the introduction of the booking system – already delayed due to the covid pandemic – as authorities attempt to overcome logistic and political obstacles, reports Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper.
The proposed entry fee would vary initially from a €3 standard daily rate to €6 on busier days, rising to €10 in the peak summer season.
Local residents and tourists staying overnight would be exempt from the levy.
Italy’s new culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said that he would study the proposed entry fee for Venice before expressing “a definite point of view”, reports news agency ANSA.
