Venice, Italy | Continuing to Debate its Sustainable Tourism Tariff

Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, a wonder built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, one of the most charming and romantic destinations globally boasting a unique, incomparable cultural and historical heritage is continuing to debate its Sustainable Tourism Tariff,  a controversial fee on day - trippers, after a pilot program received mixed results and also criticism.

City officials state that the fee was implemented not for profit but to manage visitor flow and help pay for the city’s upkeep service, also emphasizing that it’s part of a broader strategy to combat overtourism and protect Venice’s fragile environment and heritage.

While the fee aims to manage overcrowding and fund unkeep, its effectiveness in reducing tourist numbers is questioned, with some critics calling it a “failure” that did not significantly decreased visitors during the initial trial.

How the Sustainable Tourism Tariff works :

·       Fee structure: The fee is for day - trippers and was first piloted in 2024.

·       Initial fee: The initial fee was €5, applied on 29 selected days, mostly weekends and holidays.

·       2025 update: the fee has been extended to 54 days and doubled to €10 for last – minute visitors, while those who book in advance pay a reduced rate.

·       Exemptions: The fee does not apply to overnight visitors, local residents, or children under 14.

Criticisms concerning the Sustainable Tourism Tariff:

 ·   Ineffective: Critics argue that the pilot program failed to significantly reduce the number of tourists, citing that average daily visitors during the trial were higher tna in previous years.

·        ·   Revenue - driven: Some view the tax as a revenue – generating measure rather than a true solution to overtourism.

·        ·  Fairness: There are concerns that the tax may be a burden on travellers or that it could price some people out of visiting the city.

·      ·    Surveillance and privacy: Some critics have raised concerns about potential surveillance and data privacy issues related to the fee collection system.

 Next week Venice’s city council has scheduled crucial sessions to vote on the final implementation and timing of its pilot plan for the daily access fee.

The debate involves questions about its true goal, its impact on the local economy, and whether it’s truly a sustainable solution to overtourism and focusing on two main proposals : pricing and exemptions.

The rate will probably range between €5 and €10 per person, varying depending on the high season and whether the visit coincides with a public holiday.

The main controversy is generated around commuters and travellers who stay overnight in the city, who would be exempt, leaving the economic burden almost exclusively on tourists for a single day.

Spokesman for a committee of Venetian residents Luigi Rossi, stated that this tx is not to make cash. Venice needs people to understand that visiting a World Heritage Site comes with responsibility, and the income should contribute to the maintenance and cleanup that the destination massive influx costs.

On the other hand, the Veneto Hoteliers Association has expressed concern that the access fee will discourage tourism, especially among families and budget travellers, by diverting its flow to other Italian cities.

The outcome of next week’s vote will define what sustainable tourism in Venice will look like for years to come and setting a precedent for other European cities battling overtourism.

Link

https://infoturlatam.com/venecia-debate-por-su-nueva-tarifa-de-turismo-sostenible/