Venice's plan to charge tourists descended into chaos, showing how much of a headache overtourism has become

29.04.2024 - 12:15 / insider.com

Venice is among many cities grappling with the effects of overtourism as the number of visitors bounced back from pandemic lows.

When cities are overrun with tourists, officials are often tasked with finding ways to make them more liveable for residents.

Officials took action last week by implementing a trial of a €5, or $5.40, fee for day-trippers on certain days. But the residents it aims to help aren't all happy about it.

While the hoards of tourists that descend on Venice's narrow streets can prove a big headache for people who live there year-round, many locals don't believe that charging people is the answer.

About 500 opponents of the fee protested in the streets when it came into force in the Italian city on Thursday. In chaotic scenes, some of them began clashing with riot police. Others held up signs and banners saying, "No to ticket, Yes to houses and services for all," The Guardian reported.

Opponents have also claimed that the fee, which kicks in on 29 "peak" days, goes against the principles of freedom of movement and the low price doesn't make it a good enough deterrent for tourists.

When the fee came into effect, it immediately caused frustration and confusion, and not just among locals.

Some visitors, especially overnight ones, were confused about how to prove they'd registered, The Guardian reported. Although they didn't need to pay the fee, the overnight visitors didn't realize they still had to register their exemption, it added.

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The office of Simone Venturini, the city's tourism councilor, did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Venturini previously said that the scheme wasn't designed to raise cash, and the money raised would only cover the operating costs.

On peak days, tourists visiting Venice for the day need to buy a ticket online or at booths to enter the city. Those who fail to register risk being stopped by a ticket inspector and charged between €50 and €300. On Thursday, 113,000 people registered, of which 15,700 were paying guests, the city's municipal council said.

While locals don't need to pay the fee to enter the ticketed area, they do still need to book online, which has become a point of contention.

One of the opponents said on Thursday that Venice was "becoming a museum, a theme park," Reuters reported. Photos show some protesters holding up signs saying, "Welcome to Veniceland."

Last year, Amsterdam city council voted to ban cruise ships from docking in its center to cut down on rampant tourism and environmental damage. The city also launched a campaign to reduce the number of "messy" young, male British tourists going to the city to party and take drugs.

Even smaller towns have had to find new ways to curb visitor