Venice’s New Access Fee: What’s the Local Mood Been Like These First Few Days?

In Venice, there’s one thing nearly everyone agrees on: Something’s got to be done to curb the effects of mass tourism. But local consensus on what, exactly, remains elusive. 

Never was this clearer than during the late April rollout of a hotly debated new ticket for day trippers, known officially as the Venice Access Fee — but better known as the world’s first example of a city charging for entry. The €5 fee (about $5.36) came into effect on April 25 and will be enf