Venice city officials reported that the recently implemented day-tripper tax generated 2.4 million euros ($2.6 million) during its trial phase this summer.
The tax, aimed at managing overtourism, was tested over 29 days, primarily on weekends and holidays, from April 25 to July 14. During this period, the 5-euro tax was paid 485,062 times, with significant contributions from bus tours, cruise ships, and various tour operators.
The data reveals that Italians made up 60% of visitors who paid the tax, followed by tourists from the United States, Germany, and France, who together accounted for 6.5% to 4% of the total. This preliminary success has led city officials to consider extending the tax into next year and potentially increasing it to 10 euros on certain days, though no immediate decisions were announced.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro defended the tax, emphasizing that it was designed after extensive consultations with citizens and various associations. Critics argue that the tax has failed to reduce the number of day-trippers as intended, but Brugnaro maintained that the light, non-invasive controls were necessary and appropriate.
He also hinted at potential adjustments to the fee, depending on whether it is paid in advance or at the last minute. Day-trippers were required to download a QR code showing they had paid the tax, a process that averaged two minutes.
Exemptions were made for hotel guests, who already pay a lodging tax, as well as residents of the Veneto region, visitors under 14, and those visiting relatives, among others. The tax aimed to address the city's ongoing struggle with overtourism, which sees an estimated 25 to 30 million annual arrivals.
The initiative received support from UNESCO member states, who had previously recommended placing Venice on its list of world heritage sites in danger. This recommendation was avoided two years ago after Venice banned cruise ships from navigating the Giudecca Canal and St. Mark’s Basin.
The implementation of the day-tripper tax marked a significant step in the city's efforts to manage tourism more sustainably. Simone Venturini, Venice’s top tourist official, hailed the entrance fee as a "cultural revolution," providing precise data on visitor numbers for the first time.
This innovation allows for accurate monitoring of tourism flows, moving beyond approximate estimates and interpretations to exact figures of people entering and leaving the city. This data-driven approach is expected to inform future decisions on managing the impact of tourism on Venice’s delicate infrastructure and cultural heritage.
