Protests Erupt as Venice Implements Day-Trip Entry Fee

(CNN) - April 25 holds historic significance in Venice, not only marking Italy’s Liberation Day but also the feast day of the city’s patron saint, St. Mark. However, this year, Venice adds another chapter to its history as it becomes the first city worldwide to levy an entry fee on day-trippers.

Protests ensued as locals expressed their frustration, brandishing banners and passports in opposition to the city being treated like a theme park or museum. Images captured police clashes with demonstrators.

The long-awaited "contributo di accesso" — styled as an ‘access contribution’ — began at 8 a.m. on Thursday. The city council initiated a pilot project, scheduled until mid-July, to test the feasibility of the system.

Effective April 25, day-trippers, excluding Veneto region residents, face a €5 ($5.40) charge between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Overnight visitors are exempted, as they already pay a tourist tax with their accommodation. However, overnight guests must register to request the fee waiver. Essentially, all visitors on fee-charged dates must carry either a ticket or an exemption. Residents and natives are the sole exceptions.

Hundreds protested at Piazzale Roma, the road entry point, though the exact turnout remains disputed. Protestors, led by Ruggero Tallon of anti-cruise ship group No Grandi Navi, criticized the mayor's "closed city" concept, denouncing the fee as medieval and against freedom of movement.

Elena Gastaldello, president of Arci Veneto, joined the protest, contending that the fee won't regulate visitor numbers but instead will turn Venice into an amusement park. She criticized the lack of concrete urban development policies, rent controls, and housing solutions.

A spokesperson for the mayor's office reported 113,000 registered visitors on the first day, with 80,000 pre-registered. Of these, 15,700 paid the fee. Exemptions included hotel guests, friends/family of residents, commuters, students, and school groups, with credentials inspected for nearly 14,000 individuals.