The tourist magnet Venice brought in 975,000 euros in entrance fees during an eleven-day trial period, the city’s authorities say
Published: 07/05/2024 06:24
The sum corresponds to around NOK 11.4 million. The city with the lagoon and the many canals is the first to try out such a payment scheme in an attempt to reduce the amount of tourists that fill Venice to the point of congestion during the high season. Visitors who are not going to spend the night have had to pay 5 euros to enter the city – a scant NOK 60.
The scheme has been in effect between 25 April and 5 May, and the city’s authorities announced on Monday that they had sold more than 195,000 entrance tickets, somewhat more than expected.
Venice has around 15 million visitors each year and is among the world’s most visited tourist destinations. Mass tourism brings good money to the municipal coffers, but the large crowds also lead to problems. Many days it is almost impossible to get through the narrow streets around St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, two of the most popular tourist destinations.
It has not been decided whether the city will continue to charge an entrance fee. The money collected is intended for the maintenance of streets, canals and buildings.
