First they put up billboards in San Marco, now the Italian government is moving ahead with plans to impose an entry fee on all visitors to Venice who arrive by air, rail or cruise ship. The fee is likely to be insignificant, in the one euro range, but it will raise needed funds from the more than 20 million annual tourists to help restore the city’s deteriorating buildings and monuments. Critics say the fee will reinforce the image of Venice as a cultural and historical theme park, but supporters say the fee is necessary because so many tourists come just for the day and bring their own food, spending little money in the city.
If they truly want to discourage stingy day-trippers, the fee should be at least €10 per person.
What do you think ?
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Hmm, tough call. Venice is overrun with tourists definitely and crumbling city needs to be preserved, but big billboards like that (on, what Rialto Bridge of all places?!) doesn’t help swing the argument! There is a levy for coach parties already I think. Maybe the overpriced restos and cafes should pay a subsidy with the amount they doubtless rake in from tourist trade every day.