This year, Venice started charging a five-euro entrance fee for day tourists on particularly busy days, generating significantly more income from tourism. Next year, the city plans to continue this fee and might increase it to ten euros. Cruise tourists are also affected by this fee. Since 2021, large cruise ships cannot dock directly in Venice, but shore excursions from nearby ports like Marghera, Monfalcone, Trieste, continued.

Since April 2024, Venice has collected over two million euros from this five-euro fee on 29 days. This fee mainly targets day tourists, while locals, hotel guests, and children under 14 are exempt. Last year, Venice was almost added to the red list of endangered UNESCO world cultural heritage sites, prompting measures to reduce mass tourism. The city, with around 50,000 residents, sees up to 100,000 tourists daily in peak season, which is unsustainable.

So far, actions like banning large tour groups have been taken, but the entrance fee hasn't significantly reduced the number of visitors. Cruise tourists have always been a small percentage of day visitors, even when cruise ships docked near the city center.

Introduced in April, the fee aimed to deter some visitors and reduce crowding. Despite generating over two million euros, it hasn't significantly impacted overcrowding. The city councillor for tourism and social cohesion, said the scheme would continue next year and the council views it positively. 

Reports suggest the fee could range from €10 on busy days to €3 during quieter periods. While the fee has brought in revenue, it hasn't reduced overcrowding, suggesting that while it's financially beneficial, it may not solve the crowding issue.