“Venice is still too cheap”: entry fee to double in 2025

The pay-to-visit trial project for this massively popular Italian city has not curbed interest among crowds so far

It’s the basic law of economics – supply and demand. The introduction of an entry fee of 5 euros earlier this year, which applies to busy weekends, has not lessened interest among the tourist public in visiting Venice. Recognizing that there is still room to grow in terms of pricing, the local authorities have decided to increase that tax to 10 euros next year.

The introduction of the fee and the now subsequent raise, however, should not be seen as a money-grabbing scheme on the part of the government. Its aim, in fact, is to decrease the number of annual visitors to the Lagoon City as a way of lessening the social, cultural and environmental impact that this brings along.

Tourism disincentivization

The rise of overtourism is linked to many factors, such as globalization, the rise of a global middle class, increased promotion through social media and even FOMO (fear of missing out). In other words, more people around the world see it as a must-do on their ‘bucket list’ to visit places like Venice.

The problem is whereas demand grows exponentially, the space of the city remains constant and finite. That’s why the authorities resorted to one of the classical barriers that economic science provides – make it more expensive and interest will dwindle.

In the words of the city's tourism councillor Simone Venturini, “Venice is still too cheap”. Well, that’s the new reality. Gone are the days when visiting an entire city used to be a no-charge-involved human freedom.

Michele Zuin, the local budget councillor, added more depth to that, speaking to Il Fatto Quotidiano: “We hope to discourage arrivals. The first experimental phase did not show major disincentive effects, but we did not expect them. The situation will change when the maximum ticket is increased to 10 euros."

The current 5-euro entry fee has only applied to tourists on day trips, not visitors staying in Venice overnight or the city's residents. It also only applied to 29 days of the year considered the busiest. It resulted in 2 million euros for the city coffers – three times more than the initial expectations.

The scheme will likely apply to the same days next year though with a new price. However, there’s talk that people who book in advance will actually enjoy a lower rate of 3 euros.