Venice launches experiment to charge day-trippers in bid to combat over-tourism

Some 200 stewards have been trained to politely walk anyone unaware of the €5 fee through the process of downloading a QR code.

Tourists take pictures at the St Mark square in Venice. Picture: Luca Bruno/AP

The city of Venice has launched a pilot programme to charge day-trippers an entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more liveable for residents.

Signs advising arriving visitors of the new requirement for a test phase of 29 days through July have been erected outside the main train station and other points of arrival.