Venice to Raise Day-Trip Entry Fee to €50 to Curb Overtourism

Venice Mayor Simone Venturini proposes increasing the access fee for day-trippers to up to €50, aiming to deter mass tourism and fund urban maintenance. The measure, a key campaign promise, would apply during 60 peak days (six more than 2025), with fees ranging from €30 for early bookings to €50 for last-minute reservations. Only day visitors from outside Veneto are affected; children under 14 and overnight guests are exempt. The current fee of €5–10, introduced in 2024, generated €2.4 million in 2024 and €5.4 million in 2025 but failed to reduce visitor numbers, which exceeded 75,000 per day in high season. The proposal requires parliamentary approval as the current law caps the fee at €10. Opposition MP Nicola Pellicani (Democratic Party) argues the fee has not managed flows or improved quality of life, and that management costs offset revenue. He calls for state subsidies under the 1973 Special Law for Venice and short-term rental regulation. The Venetian Hoteliers Association, represented by Daniele Minotto, supports the increase. UNESCO warned Italy in 2023 to adopt sustainable tourism strategies to avoid irreversible damage; the previous fee helped keep Venice off the 'heritage in danger' list.