Venice greenlights €5 daily tourist tax despite criticisms
Ilaria Grasso MacolaA trial of a €5 (£4.30) daily tourist tax in Venice, part of the city’s bid to fight overtourism, has been greenlit.
The tax will be trialled for 30 days next year and will be applied to all tourists aged 14 and above. Those staying in the city for at least one night will be exempted.
“We have been hearing for 50 years that Venice is invaded by tourists and, after years of immobility, it’s now time we decided and did something tangible,” tweeted mayor Luigi Brugnaro on Wednesday night (13 September).
#Ring 🎙 | Contributo di accesso, è la prima volta al mondo che si fa una sperimentazione di prenotabilità di una Città. Capisco gli scetticismi, ma chi non fa niente non aiuta la città. Sono 50 anni che sentiamo dire che Venezia è invasa dal turismo e dopo anni di immobilismo è… pic.twitter.com/jSR6UOODlv
— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) September 13, 2023
It was confirmed last week the proposal would be put to a vote.
The trial comes after Unesco earlier this year warned Venice might be added to a list of World Heritage sites at risk of “irreversible” damage from overtourism.
Nevertheless, the move was met by a staunch opposition, with critics claiming €5 is too little to discourage overtourism.
According to Italian media, the proposal was approved by Venice city council after some six chaotic hours of deliberation, which saw Brugnaro and the opposition go head to head.
“I understand sceptics but those who do nothing don’t help the city,” the mayor added.
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