Venice rolls out a Disneyland-style entrance fee, as hot destinations struggle with overtourism

The gondola fast pass… Venice, Italy, last week became what’s believed to be the world’s first city with an entrance fee for tourists. The floating city started charging a ~$5/person fee during peak travel season (late April to mid-July) to counter overtourism and encourage visitors to check for canal dolphins some other time. Tourists trying to enter Venice have to register online and buy a QR code — or face up to a $320 fine. Some residents say the fee turns Venice into a theme park, but the move is part of a growing effort by global tourist hotspots to protect historic sites.

• Tourism bump: Daytrippers make up 73% of Venice visitors but just 18% of the city’s $2B/year tourism economy. Hotel guests — exempt from the fee — account for nearly half of tourism revenue.

• Euro trip: Venice’s population was 50K last year, down 70%+ since the 1970s (there are now more tourist beds in the city than residents). 20M visitors flocked to the two-square-mile city last year.

The overtourism test… Venice is far from the only honeymoon spot looking to control crowds. Last week a Japanese resort town announced plans to build a barrier to dissuade tourists flocking there for Mount Fuji pics. Barcelona just removed a bus route from Google and Apple maps because tourists were taking it over. Greece capped Acropolis on-lookers at 20K/day starting last year. US national parks have instituted similar daily-visitor caps. This summer Galapagos National Park will double its entrance fee to $200.