Venetians Take to the Streets to Protest New Tourist Fee
In a display of defiance, a few hundred protesters gathered in Venice to voice their opposition to the city’s new tourist fee. The demonstrators argued that the fee would not effectively reduce tourist numbers and failed to address the underlying issues faced by many Venetians.
Tensions escalated briefly as clashes broke out between some protesters and riot police, armed with batons and shields. However, no injuries were reported as the protesters continued their march along the city’s iconic canals. Banners with messages such as “Airbnb Kills Cities” and “The Entrance Charge Won’t Save Venice” were proudly displayed by the impassioned crowd.
Ruggero Tallon, a member of the protest group, expressed their disdain for turning Venice into a tourist hotspot, stating, “We don’t want to be Disneyland. We’re not an open-air museum. We’re totally against this entrance ticket.” Others, like Federica Toninello, highlighted the pressing issue of affordable housing in Venice, emphasizing the need for more council homes to be made available to residents.
Despite the council’s insistence that the fee is not a profit-making endeavor, many Venetians remain dissatisfied, calling for the revenue to be allocated towards improving housing, transportation, and public services. Giuseppe, a local bar owner, voiced concerns about the potential impact on businesses, fearing that the fee would deter tourists from spending on food and drink.
Economics professor Jan van der Borg echoed these sentiments, casting doubt on the fee’s ability to alleviate the strain of mass tourism on the city. As the debate rages on, the future of Venice’s tourism policies hangs in the balance.