Venice officials have declared their experiment with a temporary entrance fee a success, as they test strategies to manage visitor numbers. From April 25 to July 14, a €5 reservation fee was implemented on select days, generating €2,425,310 (approximately $2.64 million). Initially, the city had anticipated collecting around €700,000 (about $762,163) from the scheme, according to Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro.
Reservation and Exemption Details
During the 29-day trial, a total of 3,618,114 reservations were made. Of these, 1,398,084 individuals were exempt from payment due to hotel stays. Other exemptions included 651,254 workers who were in the city on fee days, 466,819 students, and 217,589 residents. Additionally, 78,224 people were exempt due to their relation to residents, and 107,146 were excluded for various reasons such as being city-born, participating in religious or cultural events, or attending papal visits.
Visitor Preferences and Impact Analysis
The data revealed that Saturdays were the most popular days for visitors, with a noticeable decrease in attendance over the experimental period, particularly on “red flag days” that had previously experienced peak crowds. The city’s statement noted that no single day during the experiment reached the peak attendance recorded on April 30, 2023.
Mayor’s Positive Outlook on Experiment
“The experiment worked, and we can move forward,” said Mayor Brugnaro during a press conference. He indicated that a thorough analysis of the collected data would be conducted in the autumn. A CNN team on-site reported that local residents observed a decrease in crowd sizes, with the lead-up to the city’s summer event, the Redeemer Festival, seeming less congested compared to previous years.
Future Considerations and Investigations
Although the entrance fee officially ended on July 14, the mayor’s office is considering reinstating it during peak periods, though no official date has been set. “It’s a positive balance,” said tourism councillor Simone Venturini. “The first 29 days of experimentation have provided us with a tool to gauge visitor numbers and plan accordingly.”
Ongoing Corruption Investigation
In a separate development, Mayor Brugnaro and two aides are under investigation for alleged corruption linked to approving a 3.7-million-square-foot commercial property development by a Singapore developer in exchange for $164 million. Brugnaro has denied the allegations, but one council member has resigned. The CNN team noted a banner calling for the mayor’s resignation, highlighting ongoing public and political scrutiny.