First the billboards, now Venice plans to charge a 'tourist tax'

Taxing times: The charge is aimed at raising much-needed revenue


First it was controversial advertising billboards on the Bridge of Sighs and now Venice is drawing up plans to tax visitors in an attempt to raise revenue for the city.

Tourists could be charged an entrance tax when they arrive in the Italian city, either by train, plane or cruise ship, under new plans being drawn up by the Italian government.

Officials have drafted a plan that would allow Venetian authorities to charge visitors a one-off fee when they arrive in the city, The Telegraph has reported.

Over 20 million people visit Venice each year and the tax is expected to raise much-needed revenue for the city, whose palaces, churches and monuments are in urgent need of restoration.

The plan has been drawn up by Renato Brunetta, the minister for public administration and innovation, and has been supported by Venice's mayor, Giorgio Orsoni. The cost of the tax is not yet known.

Orsoni recently defended a controversial money-making scheme which has seen advertising billboards placed across some of the Lagoon City’s most famous sites.

The large advertisements for Coca Cola, Bulgaria and other commercial brands cover the front of some of the most famous buildings in the city, as well as the Bridge of Sighs, and have been branded a ‘violation’ of one of the world’s greatest treasures.

The Bridge of Sighs is barely visible underneath the advertising billboards, leading locals to rename the tourist attraction the 'Bridge of Signs'.


The Bridge of Sighs is barely visible underneath the advertising billboards


Orsoni defended the billboards by saying the city needed to raise revenue for repair work. He said: 'The only way to get around the problem would be to have a magic wand and repair all the buildings in Venice without having to cover them up.'

'These days public money is tight. I would be very happy to accept donations...if they're willing to give them.'

Finding funds to restore the crumbling facades of Venice has dogged the city’s administration for decades. The restoration costs for the Doge's Palace - the seat of government when Venice was an independent state - could cost over €2.8million.

Most of these costs are now expected to be met through the advertising billboards.


source :dailymail