Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Venice is one of Italy's top tourist destinations but has long suffered chronic overcrowding issues as a result of the millions of tourists visiting it each year.
An entry fee system was trialled over 29 days earlier this year, with tourists who were not staying overnight in hotels or other types of accommodation required to purchase a five-euro ticket to access the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The 29 days covered by the trial in 2024 – mostly crowded weekends and holidays – would be increased to 54 next year, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said on Thursday.
"Next year it will start on April 18th and will be active on 54 specific days," Brugnaro wrote on social media.
Those tourists who book at least four days in advance will continue to pay five euros, while last-minute bookings will rise to 10 euros, he said.
Brugnaro – who has called the plan a "first step" towards managing tourist flows – has maintained that the goal is to persuade day trippers to choose less busy times to visit Venice.
Authorities in the city have debated for years how to best regulate the millions of visitors anxious to see the city's sights, including St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge and countless picturesque canals.
But critics have scoffed at Brugnaro's plan, saying it would do little to discourage tourists while calling it a hastily arranged concession to UNESCO.
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The UN's cultural arm had warned it would put Venice on its endangered list if authorities didn't do more to manage its tourism.
Residents of Venice will continue to produce their identity cards for free access.
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