Venice, Italy – In an effort to combat overtourism, the city of Venice has launched a new pilot program that charges day-trippers a 5-euro fee. The aim of the fee is to discourage visitors on peak days and make the city more livable for its residents.
Under the new system, tourists are required to download a QR code to pay the fee and enter through designated entrances. The fee only applies during specific hours, with free access available outside of those times. The city hopes that by implementing this fee, they will be able to gather more precise data on the number of day visitors and better manage tourism in the future.
However, not all residents are on board with the new program. Some express skepticism and have even protested against the fee, arguing that the real issue lies in boosting the resident population and limiting short-term rentals. Critics also believe that the fee restricts the right to move freely within the national territory.
Despite the controversy, the program has attracted interest from other places facing similar challenges with mass tourism. Some residents believe that the fee does not address the underlying issues of housing availability and services in Venice.
As Venice continues to grapple with the effects of overtourism, it remains to be seen whether this new program will be the solution residents and tourists alike have been looking for.
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