Venice to impose day-trip entry fee

Venice is poised to introduce an entry fee of up to €10 (£9) for day visitors to the city, a move welcomed by local hoteliers.

The tax measure was included in Italy’s budget law for 2019 and is aimed primarily at the more than one million cruise passengers who visit Venice each year. But it has already led to calls for similar taxes elsewhere in Italy.

Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro described the charge as a “landing tax” which he plans to have in place for the 2019 high season. The tax, which only apply to tourists, is likely to be set at a base rate of €2.50 to €5 per person, rising to €10 at peak times.

The mayor said the tax would “allow us to manage the city better and to keep it clean”, arguing that the costs of maintaining the city centre have so far been paid “only by Venetians”.

The city reports that only about one-fifth of visitors spend at least one night in the historic centre.

Venice already levies a city tax on hotel occupants which raises about €30 million a year. It is estimated the landing tax could generate €50 million.

The head of the Venice hotel managers’ association Ava, Claudio Scarpa, welcomed the tax. He said: “The principle is that whoever visits from morning to evening, contributing just a tiny amount to the revenue from tourism but imposing costs on our services, must understand it’s not all there for free.”

Following the announcement, the mayor of Florence demanded major destinations across the country be allowed to impose similar taxes on day visitors.

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