In the first trial period, the entrance fee for day-trippers to Venice has raised EUR 977,430 from sale of 195,000 tickets online and offline during the 11-day period.

The Italian city of Venice has collected nearly EUR 1 million have been collected in the first 11 days of the tax application. The city established a ticketing system last month for day travellers to Venice amid over-tourism concerns.

According to reports, from April 25 to May 5, almost 195,000 tickets were sold, slightly exceeding expectations and bringing in EUR 975,000.

Reports say that after the trial period ends on June 30, the fee is expected to increase to EUR 10 per day. There are also fines from EUR 50 to EUR 300 for those who try to visit without a ticket.

The entrance fee currently costs EUR 5 for day visitors, excluding residents of the Veneto region, students and children under 14.

However, so far the ticket has failed to achieve its primary objective, of curtailing number of visitors to the city that is facing a severe challenge of overtourism.

On May 19, there were 70,000 entries, while on June 2 of last year, a national holiday in Italy, only 65,000 were registered.

“The entry ticket measure in Venice has failed miserably because the numbers count, and they say that the ticket has in no way lowered the flow of tourists or staggered the arrivals, but instead, the arrivals are numerically superior with respect to previous years,” says Giovanni Andrea Martini of City council group All the City Together.

According to reports, following the new system of the tourist tax for day-trippers, visitors can pay the fare online and receive a QR code for entry at designated points. However, many citizens of Venice criticised this measure, protesting against the fines as well.

The daily travel charge, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm local time, will apply for the next 10 days and most weekends until mid-July.

Anyone entering the city on days when the charge is applicable must have either a ticket or an exemption, with only Venice residents and locals exempt from this requirement.

The statement adds that those exempt from this fee are tourists who decide to stay for one night, as they already pay a tax for one night on their accommodation bill. At the same time, they still need to register for an exemption.

In this regard, the ex-mayor of Venice, Massimo Cacciari, has called the fee “absurd” and told tourists not to pay, saying it goes against freedom of movement.