Latest news with #Venturini
New York Times
18-04-2025
- New York Times
Battling ‘Eat and Flee' Tourists, Venice Brings Its Entrance Fee Back
Early Venetians battled the waves of seawater around them by building sea walls of stone and adapting their lagoon to fit their needs. Now Venetians are battling waves of what officials call 'eat and flee' tourists, who throng to the city's landmarks with packed lunches, dump their garbage and leave without spending much money in Venice. Day trippers will have to start paying an entrance fee to visit the city starting Friday, a controversial levy meant to dissuade people from coming during peak periods. This year, city officials have nearly doubled the number of days in which the fee will be enforced, up to 54 days. (It was enforced for 30 days in 2024.) And a new wrinkle will punish the unorganized: Visitors who wait until the last minute to get their entry permits will pay 10 euros instead of five. The entrance fee was introduced last year with the aim of reducing what city officials call 'mordi e fuggi' tourism, or 'eat and flee,' referring to visitors who crowd places like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark's Square for brief visits that do not benefit the local economy much, if at all. The fee has been a good tool to 'explain to the world that Venice is unique and fragile and that tourism to Venice must be more respectful,' Simone Venturini, Venice's municipal councilor in charge of tourism, said in an interview. Overtourism has for years threatened Venice's fragile ecosystem and historic architecture, according to experts. The city recently banned cruise ships from its lagoon and has taken other measures to counteract the crowding. But it has also fallen under the scrutiny of the United Nations' culture agency, UNESCO, whose experts fear that not enough is being done to protect the fragile city. In 2023, Venice risked being added to UNESCO's list of Endangered World Heritage Sites after experts at the agency listed mass tourism, along with climate change and development, as a major threat to its future. It urged the city's leaders to take steps to ameliorate the damage. The city has cited the access fee as one positive measure, and so far Venice has managed to stay off the 'in danger' list. A UNESCO expert mission returned to Venice last fall, and the city and its lagoon will be discussed again by the World Heritage Committee at a meeting in Paris in July, U.N. officials said Friday. For visitors who book ahead, the access fee remains 5 euros. But it will cost twice that for trips booked within three days of arrival. Last year, the city collected around 2.8 million euros, about $3.2 million, from the fee, Mr. Venturini said. Most of the funds went to cover the costs of implementing the system, which he said was still in an experimental phase. Critics say that if the fee's goal was to stop people from coming, it hasn't worked. An analysis of the data from last year's trial, published by the Venice city government, found 'no significant fluctuations between the days on which the access fee was provided and those on which it was not. Paradoxically, higher attendance was recorded on days when the trial was active.' 'This shows what was obvious from the beginning: You cannot govern a complex city like Venice by turning the city into a theme park with an entrance fee,' said Monica Sambo, an opposition member of Venice City Council. A more structured approach to regulating tourism was necessary, she said, with rules like capping the number of day trippers allowed into the city and regulating lodging for tourists. She added that the city should have other priorities, like policies to promote affordable housing and employment opportunities that would 'counteract the tourist monoculture' that has grown to dominate the city's economy in recent decades. The fee is applied to single-day travelers in Venice between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and it will be enforced through late July. The city has established a website for visitors to register and learn more. While just about everyone visiting the city has to register and obtain a QR code, not all visitors have to pay the fee. Overnight guests at registered accommodations, like hotels or vacation rentals, are exempt because they already pay a daily tourist tax. There are other exemptions as well, including people who study or work in Venice and those visiting relatives. To track the flow of visitors, the city already monitors them via phone location data and security cameras, a system some critics have likened to invasive mass surveillance. The city has also imposed a limit of 25 people per tour group and banned the use of megaphones. Mr. Venturini said the access fee also helps the city monitor tourist activity, so that it can better prepare city services for its consequences — everything from transportation to garbage collection. 'It's a very important instrument that no other city has,' he said.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Valentino Revenues Dipped 3% in 2024
Underlining luxury's current lull, Valentino said its 2024 revenues decreased 3 percent to 1.31 billion euros amidst 'a challenging and complex landscape.' At constant exchange rates, the decrease stood at 2 percent, while the Roman fashion house trumpeted that its direct retail, including e-commerce, improved 5 percent last year and represented 70 percent of revenues. More from WWD EXCLUSIVE: Alessandro Michele Unveils Valentino Fall Campaign Celebrating the Beauty of Everyday Moments Meet the Woman Behind Some of the Most Memorable Fashion Shows Parker Posey on 'The White Lotus,' Viral Fame and Finding Joy in the Art of Escape The e-commerce channel accounted for 15 percent of direct sales last year, versus 11 percent in 2023, representing a 37 percent jump. In a press release issued Friday morning, Valentino said it's currently 'rebalancing the wholesale channel,' which it reduced by approximately 20 percent in 2024, 'in favor of a more focused distribution through integrated partnerships.' The company also highlighted a 51 percent jump in revenues at its beauty and fragrance business licensed to French beauty giant L'Oréal. However, Valentino's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization fell 22 percent to 246 million euros, affected by 'non-recurring items.' Without giving exact figures, it said the Americas delivered 'positive year-on-year growth,' and Japan and the Middle East 'performed well.' By contrast, Europe and Asia 'experienced challenging conditions, especially throughout the second half of the year.' In a statement, Valentino chief executive Jacopo Venturini said Valentino 'made important progress in 2024 as we continue to nurture our maison's promise to enchant, surprise and inspire our clients in equal measure. 'Our work took a decisive step forward with the appointment of Alessandro Michele as our new creative director,' he said, referring to the March 2024 nomination of the former Gucci designer, who succeeded Pierpaolo Piccioli. Michele's first designs, anointed 'Avant les Débuts' for the resort 2025 season, arrived in stores last September and October. According to Venturini, his first creations for the house 'have already shown how Alessandro's extraordinary inspiration reinterprets the past through his unique and outstanding eyes, while embracing the freedom he has to fully express his creative genius. 'My gratitude goes to him and all the colleagues of the maison, who proved unstinting efforts and admirable commitment throughout a year of challenge and of progress,' Venturini added. Best of WWD Harvey Nichols Sees Sales Dip, Losses Widen in Year Marred by Closures Nike Logs $1.3 Billion Profit, But Supply Chain Issues Persist Zegna Shares Start Trading on New York Stock Exchange
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The Independent
13-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Venice to double tourist tax for last-minute visitors
Venice has confirmed that its daytripper tax will continue in 2025 – with double the fee for last-minute visitors. The Italian canal city has long been overwhelmed by tourism in its historic centre, with around 30 million tourists visiting Venice in a typical year. Simone Venturini, the city's tourism councillor, confirmed that the 29-day pilot tax scheme in 2024 had 'worked' at the BIT tourism fair in Milan on Monday. According to Venice officials, at the end of the first test phase last July, the tax had netted €2.4 million (£2 million), accounting for about 1,000 entrances on each of the test days. Mr Venturini said: 'The aim remains the same: create a new system to manage tourist flow and disincentivize day tripper tourism in several periods, in line with the delicate and unique nature of the city, to guarantee the respect that it merits.' Last-minute tourists who make reservations less than four days in advance will pay €10 (£8.35) instead of the usual €5 (£4.20). The new pilot system will start on 18 April and run until 4 May before continuing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the end of July for a total of 54 days. Daytrippers visiting during peak hours – 8.30am to 4pm – will have to pay the daily fee, while overnight tourists with hotel reservations are exempt from the charge. Exemptions are also granted to residents, Venetian-born visitors, students and workers. The access fee is not applied to the minor islands of the Venetian Lagoon or passengers passing through Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto or Stazione Marittima without access to the city's historic centre. Reservations can be pre-paid online or through ticket counters, and visitors will need a QR code on their smartphone or printed out to be allowed inside the ancient city. Those caught without a ticket at entry checkpoints face fines ranging from €50 (£41.70) to €300 (£250).
Fox News
11-02-2025
- Fox News
Popular travel destination doubles controversial day-tripper tax, sparks reactions on social media
As tourists continue to flock to Venice, Italy, officials are doubling its "access fee" in an attempt to continue curbing overtourism for day-trippers. Venice introduced a pilot program in 2024 to charge day-trippers a $5.17 (5 euros) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days, Fox News Digital reported. Simone Venturini, the city's tourism councilor, recently spoke at the BIT tourism fair in Milan, sharing the program was successful, online news platform Metro reported. "The aim remains the same: create a new system to manage tourist flow and disincentivize day tripper tourism in several periods, in line with the delicate and unique nature of the city, to guarantee the respect that it merits," said Venturini. Starting April 18, visitors will officially pay the access fee of $5.17 if booked four days ahead, while arrivals booked last minute, within three days, doubles to $10.33 (10 euros), according to the city's site. The fee applies on select dates only to the Ancient City of Venice, not to the minor islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Exemptions apply to residents, property owners, students, workers, persons with disabilities and children under 14 years of age. The access fee will also be waived for visitors attending events such as the Venice Boat Show in May. Approximately six million Americans traveled to Italy in 2023, according to the State Department. Officials will also add increased security screens at eight different locations, including main cruise ship docking areas. When the tax was first announced last year, tourists and residents took to social media to share reactions. "Not a bad idea. I cannot imagine the trash and bodily fluids that many irresponsible tourists leave behind everyday," said one user on X. Another X user said, "I don't blame them. It's much hard work to keep the city maintained. Everything is in water." "I'd pay the 10 euros twenty times a year…it is worth it," joked one. One user said, "That is not enough to reduce crowd. I think they set the price to be just right to make the most profit." "So Venice is now a theme park," joked another. One said, "Greed.. hope tourism completely collapses there." Fox News reached out to the city of Venice for comment.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Venice doubles its last-minute 'tourist tax' — with other cities looking to copy its approach to overtourism
Venice is doubling a last-minute tourist fee for daytrippers. The fee, first introduced in 2024, is an attempt to manage overtourism and better preserve the city. Venice's tourism chief says other destinations have sought advice on copying the measures. Venice has doubled its last-minute visitor fee, with the city's tourism chief saying its success has prompted other overcrowded tourist destinations to consider similar measures. In 2024, the Italian city introduced a €5 charge for visitors on select peak-season dates, in an attempt to curb overtourism. The fee will remain €5, a little over $5, for those who pay at least four days in advance, but is set to rise to €10 for last-minute bookings. Fines for not registering range from the equivalent of $52 to $310. Simone Venturini, the city's tourism councilor, said at a recent tourism fair that other destinations overrun by tourists are looking to follow Venice's lead, something the city's tourism office corroborated. "We confirm that several institutional bodies, both in Italy and internationally, have contacted the City of Venice to gain a deeper understanding of the Access Contribution mechanism," a spokesperson for Venice's tourism office told Business Insider in an email. They added that discussions have taken place with representatives from Kyoto in Japan, Formentera in Spain, and the Swiss city of Zermatt, "in addition to various Italian local authorities." Venice's tourism office said the visitor fee generated €2.4 million in revenue for the city in 2024, about $2.5 million. It also credited the entrance fee with preventing Venice from hitting previous peak visitor numbers on certain high-traffic days. The charge applies to daytrippers entering Venice's historic center between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., with exemptions for overnight guests, local residents, students, and those visiting relatives. In 2024, it was enforced on 29 high-traffic days; in 2025, that will expand to 54 days, covering periods from April to July. At the tourism fair, Venturini said Venice was a "pioneer" in tackling overtourism. He said the pilot program had worked and that the goal in 2025 remained the same: To "create a new system to manage tourist flow and disincentivize daytripper tourism in several periods, in line with the delicate and unique nature of the city." Venice's tourism office said in the statement provided to BI that while the fee led to more people booking visits in advance, the measure was insufficient by itself to prevent overtourism. Venice has also tried other means, including limiting tourist groups to 25 people and banning loudspeakers on tours. Read the original article on Business Insider
