Venice raises millions with new tourist tax

27-07-24

Venice has raised 2.2 million euros ($2.4 million) with its new one-day tourist entrance tax, implemented during a recent pilot program. Approximately 450,000 visitors paid the €5 ($5.45) fee for 29 days between April and July. The tax aims to mitigate the impact of mass tourism in the city, but has been criticized for its effectiveness. Despite this, authorities plan to double the tax to €10 next year.

Venice's entry tax was introduced with the intention of reducing excessive tourism that has overburdened the city's infrastructure and affected residents' quality of life. However, critics argue that the measure has not significantly decreased crowds and believe that it does not address the underlying problems of mass tourism. In response to these criticisms, local authorities have decided not only to maintain the tax, but also to increase it in an attempt to better manage the tourist flow.