VENICE, Italy (AP) — Under the gaze of the world’s media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launches a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro (around $5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling 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.
Some 200 stewards have been trained to politely walk anyone unaware of the fee through the process of downloading a QR code. A kiosk has been set up for those not equipped with a smartphone. Once past designated entry ports, officials will carry out random checks for QR codes that show the day-tripper tax has been paid or that the bearer is exempt.
The foods that cancer experts want you to stop eating
South Korea considers joining alliance for sharing military technology with Australia, US and UK
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 4/30/2024
First Chinese scientist to publish COVID
Colombia's president says thousands of grenades and bullets have gone missing from army bases
Beijing eases restrictions on home
Ukraine's army chief reports tactical retreat in the east, and warns of front
76ers president Daryl Morey has big plans to build NBA title team around Embiid and Maxey
USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu