From 2025, the city of the Doges will double its tourist taxmaking it 5 to 10 euros per visitor. A decision that is sure to make waves in the tourism world and beyond.
A tight schedule and higher prices
Venice City Hall, under the impetus of the mayor Luigi Brugnarolast October unveiled the contours of this new pricing policy. The doubling of the tax to 10 euros will only apply to day visitors booking less than 4 days before their arrival. Even more surprisingly, the city is considerably extending the period of application of this tax.
By 2025, no fewer than 54 days will be involved, compared with 29 at present.
The new system will come into effect on April 18, 2025, for an initial phase lasting until May 4. It will then continue until the end of July, mainly on weekends (including Fridays) and public holidays. This extension reflects the Venetian authorities' desire to spread tourist pressure more evenly throughout the year.
This increase, far from being insignificant, is part of a wider strategy aimed at stemming the massive influx of tourists that overwhelm the city's canals and squares every year. With almost 30 million annual visitors for only 50,000 permanent residentsVenice suffocates under the weight of its own popularity.
The Venetian dilemma
The tax raises questions about its real effectiveness. Experts remain skeptical: Will a tax of 10 euros be enough to dissuade the hordes of visitors determined to immortalize their visit to Saint Mark's Square?
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, defends this initiative tooth and nail. For him, it's a necessary step towards more sustainable tourism management. The objective is clear: to reduce the number of daily visitors, while encouraging longer stays that are more respectful of the city and its inhabitants.
A drop in the ocean?
Yet critical voices are being raised. Some observers point the finger at the inadequacy of this measure in the face of the scale of the challenge. Jane da Mostodirector of the NGO We Are Here VeniceThe Venetian Tourist Board believes that this tax will only scratch the surface of the problem. For her, only a complete overhaul of the Venetian tourism model could provide a lasting solution.
The debate surrounding this tax highlights the delicate balance between heritage preservation and economic vitality. Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at a crossroads. On the one hand, the need to protect its unique architectural and cultural heritage. On the other, the economic dependence on tourism, which represents a considerable financial windfall for the city.
Beyond its borders, Venice could well become a textbook case for other destinations faced with overtourism. From Barcelona to Amsterdam and Dubrovnik, many cities are keeping a close eye on the Venetian experience.
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