BRITS have been warned about heading to a popular holiday destination next year, with new rules bringing possible fines of £263.
Tourists heading to Venice for less than two nights will soon have to fork out an extra fee for their stay.
Anyone who doesn’t pay the fee of €3-10 (£2.60 – £8.80) could have to pay a fine of up to €300 (£263).
The warning comes as the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its advice for Brits heading to Italy.
They say that the new fees will come in to force from summer 2023.
The advice reads: “Visitors to Venice and the surrounding islands for less than two nights are planned to be subject to for an entry fee between €3-10 (£2.60 – £8.80) from summer 2023.
“This will be payable via a dedicated website or through an app.
“Non-compliance may result in fines of up to €300(£263). Check with your travel operator before travelling.”
The costs had originally been scheduled to start in January 2023, but have been pushed back to the summer.
It is hoped that the fee will curb “tourist peaks” and ensure people have “peaceful visits” in the future, while keeping Venice a “living city”.
Venice’s councillor for tourism, Simone Venturini, previously described the new measures as “a great revolution”.
He claimed that the aim was to not “close the city” but to “reduce tourist peaks”.
He said: “Venice is a living city and it has to stay that way.”
The charge comes due to a change in attitude towards tourism from the city council after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year Mr Venturini told Italian TV network RAI: “Covid made us realise that what was an everyday occurrence before Covid isn’t acceptable anymore; the mentality has changed, as has the sensitivity [towards crowds].
“This will give us the chance to know how many people are predicted for that day, and to calibrate services according to the number.”
An online ticket booking system is expected to be launched soon, with local authorities promising that QR codes will prevent the need for turnstiles.
They have also vowed not to have unenforceable limits on the number of tourists.
However, not everyone will have to pay the fee.
Residents, children under the age of six, disabled people, homeowners, those visiting for health reasons, those visiting relatives or attending sporting or cultural events will be exempt.
Meanwhile, most Brits don’t know about new rules that will cost you extra money on your holidays next year.
Brits also face paying extra in Spanish restaurants because of this simple mistake.
