Venice to charge up to $11 for day visits

Currently, the Italian city’s tourist tax only applies to those spending the night.

But as Venice sees visitor numbers soar ever higher and streets become ever busier, government measures to combat overtourism are toughening.

This new law is the latest — and arguably the most extreme — measure designed to handle the nearly 30 million tourists who visit Venice each year.

Extreme measures

In May 2018, Venice officials attempted to limit flows of tourists in the streets.

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“From today, the disembarking tax in the historical center of Venice is law,” said Brugnaro.

“This will help us to better manage the city, keep it clean, and offer visitors better services.”

The mayor added that the introduction of the measure would see Venetian living conditions improve.

How much you get charged for your day trip will likely vary depending on the time of year.

Local reaction

Venice receives over 30 million visitors a year.

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Local Marco Malafante, who manages luxury vacation rentals in the city, says he agrees with the move.

“As a Venetian I often found myself stuck in crowded lanes. Venice is engulfed by tourists and we have to reduce the day trippers in favor of a more qualified, let’s call it ‘luxury’ tourism. The alternative is simply that we all are uncomfortable in Venice.”

But a Venetian gondolier, who says his name is Cuba, tells CNN he’s not convinced the move addresses the real problems associated with overtourism in Venice.

“Entering Venice will be like entering into a museum, I don’t think the measure will help the problem of transforming Venice into a Disneyland, with fake glass shops and piazza sellers replacing the old ‘bottega’ or artisan shops,” he says.