Venice's New Mayor Proposes Day-Tripper Fee Hike to €50 as City Battles Overtourism

Venice, Italy – Venice's new mayor has said he hopes to raise the controversial entrance fee for day-trippers to the lagoon city to as much as €50 (£43), in a dramatic escalation of the city's battle against overtourism that has made it a global test case for managing visitor numbers.

Simone Venturini, the rightwing former tourism councillor who was elected as mayor in late May, said the proposal was aimed at further discouraging arrivals "during periods of heightened tourist pressure." The plan would see the current €5 fee rise to between €30 and €50 on the busiest days.

In 2024, Venice became the first tourist city in the world to charge people to enter, introducing a €5 fee on 29 peak dates between April and July. The levy returned in 2025, with an expansion to 54 dates and charging last-minute day-trippers double. This year, the initiative covers 60 dates between April and July.

From €5 to €50: A Dramatic Escalation

Venturini pledged during his election campaign to raise the fee to between €30 and €50, depending on the dates. He said the council was studying a proposal that it intended to present to the national government seeking permission to increase the entrance fee "on certain days and when specific booking thresholds are exceeded."

"The admission fee is currently the only effective tool to control daily visitor numbers. We are therefore working on a proposal to make it more effective on high-traffic days, with the aim of finding a new balance between the needs of residents, workers and visitors," Venturini said.

Although the scheme has had little impact on visitor numbers so far, it did rake in €2.4 million for the city's coffers in its first year – much more than expected – and Venice authorities still believe it will eventually contribute to helping the UNESCO world heritage city tackle overtourism.

How the Venice Entry Fee Works

The toll is payable online, and in return visitors get a QR code that they must present to stewards hired to patrol the city's main entrance points, such as Venezia Santa Lucia train station. The system relies on an honour-based approach, with stewards conducting spot checks rather than stopping every visitor.

Anyone who books an overnight stay in Venice is exempt from paying the fee, as are tourists from the wider Veneto region – which is where most day-trippers come from – as well as children under the age of 14. However, even if a visitor has booked a hotel room, they are still obliged to register their presence on the website.

The fee applies only to day-trippers – those who visit the city without staying overnight. Cruise ship passengers and those arriving on day tours from other Italian cities are among the primary targets of the levy.

The Cost of Preserving Venice

Venturini said the funds generated from the fee would be used "to finance city services and support the maintenance and protection of a unique city, built on water, whose costs exceed €100 million each year."

Venice faces immense challenges beyond overtourism. The city is sinking, with rising sea levels and frequent flooding threatening its historic buildings and infrastructure. The MOSE flood barrier system, completed in 2020 after decades of planning and cost overruns, has provided some protection, but maintenance and operational costs remain significant.

Mass tourism has also eroded the city's living population. Resident numbers have fallen below 50,000 for the first time in centuries, as locals are priced out of the housing market by short-term rentals catering to tourists. The entry fee is seen by some as a way to protect the city's character and discourage the day-trippers who contribute to overcrowding without supporting the local economy through overnight stays.

Controversy and Criticism

The entry fee has been controversial since its introduction. Critics argue it treats tourism as a problem rather than an opportunity, and that it unfairly penalizes visitors who contribute to the local economy. Others question whether the fee, even at higher levels, will significantly reduce visitor numbers.

Some residents and local businesses have expressed concern that a higher fee could deter tourists altogether, harming the city's economy. Tourism accounts for a significant portion of Venice's GDP, and any reduction in visitor numbers could have knock-on effects for hotels, restaurants, and shops.

However, supporters of the fee argue that Venice has been overwhelmed by mass tourism for decades, and that the city's fragile infrastructure cannot sustain the current volume of visitors. They point to the city's declining resident population and the loss of authentic Venetian culture as evidence that urgent action is needed.

National Approval Required

Venturini's proposal must be approved by the Italian national government before it can be implemented. The government has previously supported Venice's efforts to manage tourism, but the scale of the proposed increase is likely to spark debate in Rome about the appropriate balance between local autonomy and national tourism policy.

The mayor said the council was studying a proposal that it intended to present to the national government seeking permission to increase the entrance fee "on certain days and when specific booking thresholds are exceeded." This would allow the city to vary the fee based on demand, charging higher rates on the busiest days while keeping it lower during quieter periods.

What's Next for Venice?

As Venice continues to refine its approach to managing tourism, several key questions remain:

• Will the higher fee reduce visitor numbers? Despite the current €5 fee, visitor numbers have remained largely unchanged, suggesting that price elasticity may be limited
• Will the government approve the increase? The proposal could face opposition from national tourism bodies and business groups
• What about other Italian cities? Florence, Rome, and other popular destinations are watching Venice's experiment closely as they consider their own measures
• Can Venice balance tourism and sustainability? The city must find a way to preserve its heritage while maintaining a viable economy

For now, Venice remains the world's most prominent laboratory for overtourism management. Whether the entry fee – at €5 or a potential €50 – proves to be the solution or merely a symbol of the broader challenges facing heritage cities will be closely watched by cities around the globe.