The destination’s authorities introduced its new fee on a trial basis on Thursday (25 April) with day visitors paying €5 through an online booking system, which was set up in January and sends tourists a QR code to be scanned when they arrive in the city.

Initially, the fee will only apply on 29 days up to the middle of July, including most weekends during this trial period. The charge only applies during peak hours from 8.30am to 4pm on these days. Visitors who have not paid the €5 fee face could fines of up to €300.

Venice’s authorities have been discussing how to tackle overtourism in the city for many years and they hope the new measure will reduce crowds during key busy periods and create a better quality of life for residents. For more background, read TTG’s analysis of Venice’s attempts to deal with overtourism.

But Thursday’s launch of the tourist tax was also met with protests from some residents who are against the tourist tax as they don’t think the scheme will be effective and they also have concerns about data privacy.

Day trippers face spot controls at seven access points around Venice, including the city’s main rail station, where they will have their QR codes scanned. Stewards will also be on hand to help those people who are unaware they need to pay the new fee and can help them to download the QR code.

Those holidaymakers staying overnight at hotels in the city are exempt from the day trip fee as they already pay a tax based on their hotel stay.