Venice's new €5 entry fee for day trippers is needed to tackle the ongoing over-tourism in the famous Italian city, an Irish travel writer has said.
From next summer, tourists will be charged a €5 admission fee to enter the city, as part of a 30-day trial.
All visitors over the age of 14 will have to pay it, but it will not apply to those staying overnight.
Megan Virgo told Newstalk Breakfast the fee is not about making money.
"The fee is going to cover the basics of putting this scheme into place," she said.
"They are going to trial it for 30 days in 2024 during summer and spring.
"They're going to charge any daily tourist over the age of 14 a €5 fee to enter the city of Venice."
Venice's Grand Canal with the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in the background in November 2016. Image: Scott Wilson / Alamy Stock PhotoMs Virgo said summer in Venice can be chaotic.
"Venice has a population of, let's say, 50,000 people; yet in 2019, 19 million people visited," she said.
"This scheme has been in the works for a few years now, they just couldn't carry it out because of the pandemic.
"I do think it's fair because they have people that live there, work there, study there - and during the summer periods it's chaotic there.
"They're trying to manage it first for 30 days and see how it goes.
"How it's going to be carried out we don't know yet, but I think it's warranted."
Ms Virgo said authorities are under pressure to do something to protect the city.
"UNESCO said recently said that Venice is being added to its World Heritage Sites in danger," she said.
"They're saying the Italian government isn't doing enough to protect Venice at all from climate change and the effect of tourism.
"So, I think they have a duty of care to do something and be proactive," she added.
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