Venice has started a trial run of a tax on tourists who make day trips to the city.
The entry tax debuted on April 25 and will be in effect on 29 dates through July 14. Venice wants to curb
overtourism and discourage one-day visits on peak days.
Day-trippers will have to pay five euros (about $5.40) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Payment can only be made through a website that gives travelers a QR code that will need to be presented in the event of an inspection. Municipal workers will carry out inspections at random.
The city said there will be gates at the main access points to the city, where municipal workers can assist travelers who may not have paid the tax.
There will be inspectors stationed at several areas in Venice, including the rail station, Piazzale Roma and the Church of San Zaccaria. There will also be around 70 information booths scattered across the city.
Dates of enforcement are April 25 and 27-30; May 1-5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26; June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30; and July 6, 7, 13 and 14.
The city will spend 2024 collecting data about the trial run and is expected to roll out a permanent solution in 2025.
Excluded from paying the tax are Venice residents, travelers with at least one overnight stay in Venice, people with disabilities, and military personnel and first responders.