For years the Italian city of Venice has been struggling with a few concerns. Saint Mark's Square is often flooded. Venice's waterways require repairs. But, by far, the biggest problem is the rapidly growing number of visitors to the city.
So city officials have decided to require all visitors to pay a fee to enter Venice. The money will help to pay for cleaning and other services that help to keep the city beautiful.
Venice's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro explained the decision to international media during a visit to Rome last week. "Venice is a wonder of the world and only in this way can it be saved," the mayor said. "The fee process will be experimental at first," he added.
A one-day visit will cost about $7. City officials have yet to decide when the fee collection will begin. The money will be collected by transport companies that bring the tourists to Venice. The city will set up cameras for those arriving in private cars. And there will be fines for those who do not pay the fee. Students, some workers and children under the age of six will not have to pay. Naturally, anyone born or living in Venice is exempt.
City officials hope this will prevent the overcrowding that often comes with large numbers of tourists. Some people living in Venice say they do not believe the fee plan will work. Lawyer Roberta Pierabon says it will be impossible to collect the money from everyone who visits the city. Visitors arrive from all sides. She does not believe tourists can be controlled and adds that she disapproves of the plan. Other Venetians like the idea. They say it will make tourism less aggressive. Venetians love their city and know it will never stop appealing to visitors. Venice is so special, they say, that it belongs to the whole of humanity.