Top European holiday spot urged to charge £86 a DAY to ‘stem obscene rivers of tourists’

AN iconic European city is considering implementing a tourist charge to combat overcrowding.

The popular destination welcomes around 30 million tourists each year and has already taken measures to “stem obscene rivers of tourists”.

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A Venice businessman has now proposed the city introduce a €100 (£86) entry fee for day-tripping tourists.

Setrak Tokatzian, who is the president of St Mark’s Square resident’s association, said the charge would help to combat what he called “obscene” overtourism in the historic Italian city.

As of right now, seven out of 10 visitors to only stay in Venice for a day, and often do not spend money in local shops.

The city became the first metropolitan area globally to charge day-trippers an admission fee, which was introduced on 25 April 2024.

Holidaymakers with hotel or Airbnb reservations within the city are exempt but other tourists have to pay €5 (£4.20) to visit.

Significant increase

The proposed €100 (£86) fee would be 20 times more expensive, aiming to deter tourists who do not contribute to the local economy.

Tokatzian described Venice as being is in a “state of calamity” in an interview with local newspaper Corriere del Veneto.

“This tourism is obscene, there’s a complete explosion of overtourism like never before, with a type of people wandering around without entering shops or even knowing where they are,” he said.

Tokatzian, who owns a jewellery shop in the city, called for the charge in order to stem the “rivers of people” arriving in Venice.

“They move from one place to another, often guided by tour operators, boarding gondolas, hopping into taxis, rushing here and there, but no one buys anything,” he explained.

He added that tourists who “don’t know what culture is” often bypass storefronts to spend money on “illegal vendors” selling grain for pigeons and roses.

A €5 (£4.20) to €10 (£8.35) levy was trialled between April and July this year.

Last-minute tourists who made reservations less than four days in advance were charged the higher rate.

Daytrippers visiting during peak hours, 8:30AM to 4PM, have to pay the daily fee.

Meanwhile, overnight tourists with hotel reservations are exempt from the charge.

Exemptions are also granted to residents, Venetian-born visitors, students, and workers.

Opposition to fees

The proposal faces opposition as critics argue that such a high rate would not teach visitors “respect”.

The former president of the St Mark’s Square association Claudio Vernier shared his thoughts on social media.

“To believe that an entry fee of €100 can solve this sick system is a pure illusion,” he said.

“Asking 100 euros to enter does not educate the visitor. Doesn’t teach them respect, doesn’t make them more aware.”

He pointed out that charging such a high entry rate may work against the city.

“Those who spend a similar amount will expect a perfect, luxurious, frictionless ‘theme park’ experience — an expectation that cannot be met in a lively, historic, fragile city,” he said.

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