Venice to require entrance fee from January

Rome, July 2 (UNI) Venice, city in Italy, is all set to become the world’s first city to make an entrance fee compulsory for its tourists from next January in a bid to tackle overtourism.

Starting from January 16, 2023, tourists will have to pay an entrance fee if they want to visit Venice, jewel in Italy’s tourism crown.

The ticket’s prices will range from a three-euro minimum right up to 10 euros. The price will not be fixed, but will vary according to the number of visitors: The more requests for entry, the higher the cost, CNN reported.

If the entrance fee is not paid, the tourist may face a fine of 300 euros (£258), according to The Independent.

Venice’s councilor for tourism Simone Venturini on Friday announced the date at a press conference.

The councilor termed this a “great revolution,” and a solution for the overtourism problem that the lagoon city has been facing for decades.

Residents and children aged under six will be exempt, as will disabled people, homeowners, those who come to the city for health reasons or to visit relatives, and those coming to attend a sporting or cultural event, according to CNN’s report.

Overnight hotel guests will also not be liable to pay as they will already be giving a tourist tax through their hotel.