IS VENICE'S TOURIST TAX A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

In a bid to tackle overtourism, the city is set to charge day-trippers a 'tourist tax' of up to €10 in 2023. But what does this mean for travellers, and will other destinations follow suit?

- JULIA BUCKLEY

Why is this happening?

Venice has around 50,000 inhabitants in the central area but is swamped by approximately 20 million visitors a year. Around 90% of those visitors are what the locals call 'hit and runs' day-trippers, often bussed or boated in from the surrounding area and even as far away as Croatia. These visitors tend to spend less money in the city, clog the areas around the main sites and leave plenty of rubbish in their wake. Keen to reduce overcrowding, the authorities' solution is to introduce an entry fee of up to €10 (£8.50) for day-trippers in the hope of putting some of them off or persuading people to visit on a less busy day, when it'll be cheaper to get in.