The introduction of a five-euro entrance fee for day trippers is not doing Venice any harm. During the first eleven-day test phase, which was completed on Monday, the Italian city raised almost a million euros. Day trippers visiting Venice have had to pay an entrance fee of five euros per person since April 25. During the eleven-day test period, more than 195,000 tickets were sold, or more than 975,000 euros in revenue. Venice has somewhat exceeded its own expectations, writes the German dpa. The levy was applicable from 25 April to 5 May. There is now a break until next weekend. From then until mid-July, admission must be paid on almost all Saturdays and Sundays. In principle, all day visitors have to pay five euros between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. They can purchase a QR code via the internet and load it onto their mobile phone. Defaulters risk a fine of up to 300 euros. Residents, overnight guests, students and children under the age of 14, i.e. the vast majority of people staying in the city, are exempt from the levy. They, too, typically need a QR code but receive it for free. With around 15 million visitors a year, the Italian lagoon city is one of the most visited travel destinations in the world. Mass tourism brings in a lot of money for the Venetians, but it also causes considerable problems. On many days, the narrow streets around St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge are hard to get through. It is not yet certain whether the levy will be introduced permanently after the test phase. A decision on this is expected later this year. If the levy remains, the money will eventually be used for the maintenance of streets, canals and buildings. At the moment, however, the costs of implementation are even higher than the revenues, according to dpa. (Photo Shutterstock).
