FM newsroom – city management, Italy. More than 485,000 people have paid to enter the city of Venice, and the toll system has generated €2.25 million since its launch on 25 April, according to a press conference held in Venice on Friday.
From 25 April, every weekend and public holiday, entrance to Venice costs €5 per person between 8.30 am and 4 pm, except for those under fourteen, residents of Venice and the Veneto region, visitors with hotel reservations, and other categories. Three million euros have been spent on introducing the system – MTI informs.
16,000 tourists per day on average
According to figures released at a press conference by Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, the average number of tourists on pay days was over 16,000, with the highest number on Saturdays.
In addition to the daily fee, those arriving in Venice must also register on the dedicated internet portal. The number of registrations was more than 3.6 million.
Tourism councilor Simone Venturini said the high number of tax-free people proves that there are many more permanent residents of the city than the officially announced 49,000.
Half of the 16,000 university students live in Venice
The registrations revealed that 16,000 university students go to Venice, and about half of them also live in the city. Almost 6,000 do not have a permanent residence but own property in the city.
In the twenty-nine days surveyed, 2,600 people were granted free entry because they identified themselves as relatives of people living in Venice.
Venturini said the experimental paid entry system will continue and may last a few more years. It was announced at the press conference that the daily rate will not be increased for the time being. However, those who register and pay the entrance fee at the last minute would be charged ten euros instead of five euros.
With the paid system, Venice wants to regulate the mass tourism flooding the city, although no upper limit has been set for admission until now.
Source: mti.com
