Entry fee application for day-trippers to Venice begins

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro announced that they will begin testing the application within this month, in line with the decision taken by the Venice City Council in September 2023.

During a presentation at the Foreign Press Association in Rome, Brugnaro stated that the application is an experimental and deterrent idea against excessive tourist density, but that it does not mean "closing the city."

Stating that "we have a duty to protect the world's important historical centers," Brugnaro noted that the application will be implemented for the first time on April 25 between 08:30 and 16:00.

THE GOAL IS TO PROTECT THE CITY

Arguing that the purpose of the application is not to make money, Brugnaro said, "The purpose of this is to protect the city."

Brugnaro explained that there will be no turnstiles in the city to control the application, but that checks will be carried out at certain points.

Brugnaro stated that their application will not limit free movement and freedom of travel in Venice. Brugnaro used the expressions, "There are no restrictions on entry to Venice. There are no restrictions other than the days mentioned on the municipality's website, which are days when we try to host fewer daily guests if possible."

5 EUROS WILL BE PAID

Underlining that day-trippers will pay a fee, Brugnaro said, "Those who come to Venice daily, those who do not stay overnight, that is, those who come in the morning and leave in the evening, have to pay a contribution fee. The contribution fee per person is 5 euros this year. Children under the age of 14 are exempt from this. In addition, those staying in hotels in Venice or Mestre, that is, within the borders of the Venice Municipality, will not pay any fee."

Brugnaro stated that the application will start in the spring months in the first phase and will be tested until the second week of July, saying, "We have determined this period as a trial. These are spring days when the beaches have not yet started to fill up. Many people might want to stop by the city if they are near Venice on the weekend instead of the beach. If they decide to come on those days, it is possible for them to gain access by making a reservation and paying the 5-euro contribution fee."

Brugnaro conveyed that they are in contact with many cities in Turkey and around the world, and that they are asked questions about both entry fee applications and how to protect historical artifacts and monuments.

Stating that there are works from Turkey in Venice, Brugnaro commented, "We all know this. Therefore, Turkish guests are guests we welcome. The only thing we ask of everyone is people's respect."

Simone Venturini, the Venice City Council Member responsible for Tourism, shared the information that they have received 151 thousand 157 reservations so far through the online portal launched on January 16 for the specific 29 days when the entry fee will be applied, and that the number of those who paid the entry fee is approaching 15 thousand.

The "Venice entry fee" application, which the Venice City Council accepted in September 2023 to control tourist density in the city, will be tested this year in the first phase on 29 days, which also includes some holidays when density is expected.

Tourists whose day trips to Venice coincide with the designated 29 days will be able to pay their entry fees by making a reservation on the site created under the name "Contributo di Accesso a Venezia" (Entry Fee to Venice).

Visitors who pay the 5-euro entry fee will be sent a QR code to their smartphones that acts as an entry pass, and this QR code will need to be shown during random checks in the city. Those who do not pay the entry fee will be fined an administrative penalty of 50 euros in addition to the entry fee if detected during checks by local authorities.

Those staying in facilities within the borders of the Venice Municipality, those residing in the Veneto region where Venice is located, children under 14, those in need of care, those participating in sports competitions, high school students on trips, security forces, and fire brigade teams will be exempt from paying the entry fee.

With its structure built on canals and its historical texture, Venice hosts millions of tourists every year.