Venice will charge tourists an entry fee for day trips into the city in 2025, extending a trial it started this year to try and reduce excessive crowds.
The city, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, started the program on concern overtourism was damaging the area and disrupting the life of residents.
The entry charge ran for 29 intermittent days focused on weekends in April through July. It was set at 5 euros, or about five dollars and 50 cents.
Venice will extend the period to 54 days next year and leave the fee unchanged for those who book early.
But day-trippers will have to pay double the charge if they make a reservation less than four days before the visit.
Reuters reported that about 485,000 people paid for a day pass this year, raising an estimated 2.4 million dollars for the city.
Some commentators say the admission fee didn’t reduce tourist numbers. But the city says it wants to continue the trial over a longer period to better assess its results.