ItalyVenice authorities charge a fee of 5 euros for visitors to the city during the day, but face opposition from people.
The 5 euro ($5.36) entrance fee will begin to be applied by the Venice government from April 25 to protect the Unesco world heritage city from the effects of overtourism and “make the city more accessible.” live more”, according to Mayor Luigi Brugnaro. Venice is the first major city in the world to promulgate this regulation.
Toll regulations apply to those wanting to enter the historic center of Venice. They can book tickets online and during the pilot phase, this regulation only applies on 29 peak days, mainly weekends, from April 25 to July 14. Residents, commuters in Venice, pupils, students and children under 14 years of age as well as overnight tourists are exempt.
Venice authorities will randomly check tickets at five main tourist destinations, including Santa Lucia station. People who do not buy tickets will be fined 50-300 euros.
Venice city staff checks city entrance tickets in front of Santa Lucia train station on April 25. Image: AFP
The Venice Council said 5,500 people booked tickets for April 25, a national holiday in Italy, generating 27,500 euros in revenue for the city budget on the first day.
However, several committees and residents’ associations today plan to protest because they believe this fee does not solve the problem.
“I can say that almost the entire city opposes this regulation,” said Matteo Secchi, head of the Venessia.com group. “You cannot impose an entrance fee on a city. What they are doing is turning this place into an amusement park, tarnishing the image of Venice.”
“They think this will solve the problem, but they don’t understand the consequences of mass tourism for a city like Venice,” said Federica Toninello, head of ASC, a real estate association.
Archi, an association that protects social and cultural rights, expressed skepticism about the constitutionality of the restriction on free movement. The association said the fee would be “ineffective in deterring people from traveling” and would cause inequality among tourist groups.
However, some people support the city’s plan. Tommaso Sichero, president of the Association of Shop Owners in Venice, said that this regulation will help collect basic data, regulate the flow of tourists during certain periods of time that risk affecting the ancient city. fragile like Venice.
Mayor Brugnaro denied the initiative was aimed at making money, but pledged to cut taxes for local residents if the toll scheme was successful.
Hong Hanh (According to Guardian)
