Plans for an entrance fee in Venice have been on the cards for several years as a way to control high tourist numbers in the city. The plan was originally approved by the Italian government in 2018 before being delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The booking system will be launched in June as part of a six-month pilot scheme before potentially being fully introduced in January 2023, according to a report in The Guardian.

Fears of overtourism in Venice have risen again after an estimated 125,000 flocked to the city last weekend.

Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in a tweet: “Tourism in Venice is starting again and is a breath of fresh air for operators.

“Today, many have understood that the booking system is the right path to take for a more balanced management of tourism.”

Venice’s tourist numbers were cut in April 2021 after the Italian government authorised a ban on large cruise ships sailing into the historic centre of the city.