European Hot Spot Wants to Jack Tourist Fee by 900%

REMO CASILLI / REUTERSVenice is planning to jack up the price of a controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the tourist hot spot by 900 percent. Famous for its canals and romantic gondola rides, the city in northeastern Italy became the first tourist destination in the world to charge an entry fee during peak periods in 2024. The levy expanded to 54 dates last year, and this year, it covers 60 dates during the peak tourist season. The new mayor of Venice, Italy, now wants to hike the tourist fee to visit Venice by 900 percent, from 5 (5.70) to 50 (57.10). Simone Venturini, who was elected as mayor last month, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals “during periods of heightened tourist pressure,” according to the Guardian. The fund created over 2.7 million in its first year, with Venturini saying the money generated from the planned fee increase would be used “to finance city services and support the maintenance and protection of a unique city, built on water, whose costs exceed 100m (114m) each year. The fee is payable online and does not apply to people booking an overnight stay in Venice or to children under the age of 14. Venturini, a right-wing former tourism councilor, said the admission fee “is currently the only effective tool to control daily visitor numbers.” His proposal will now be sent to the Italian government and parliament. Read it at The GuardianRead more at The Daily Beast.