Massive crowds during Venice’s carnival led to disagreements between city officials on how to curb tourism. 

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro believes turnstiles would be the “most democratic” option following a major traffic jam at Rialto during carnival when 150,000 people arrived in the city.

Brugnaro said: “Putting a loading threshold on the city is impossible because of a European law on personal freedom and those who propose it are campaigning. That is why I see turnstiles in the future, the simplest, least impactful and most democratic intervention.”

Bruno acknowledged that tourism is an important industry which is always welcome, and that the neighbouring provinces who attend carnival are seen as an extension of Venice. 

He said: “I would like it not to be thought that we accuse the Veneto people, on the contrary. We thank them for coming also because for me the Venetians are Venetians.”

Councillor Giovanni Andrea Martini of Tutta la Città Insieme met with Prefect Darco Pellos after sending him a letter on the danger of traffic jams in the city. 

Martini reported: “He said that by law, a threshold could not be applied, but that he will discuss it with the Cosp. We expect the instrument to be discussed and pave the way for a possible use.”

The city’s authorities confirmed in February that the €5 (£4) entry fee will increase to €10 (£8.30) for travellers who book less than four days in advance, which impacts day-trippers who go between 8:30am and 4pm. 

The charge will cover 54 days in 2025, up from 29 in 2024, between 18 April and 4 May and then every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May until the end of July. 

Secretary of the Democratic Party Monica Sambo questioned why taxes were not enforced during carnival: “Either they never really wanted to reduce the flows or, as we have always said, the ticket has no function, and if they had put it during carnival, it would have been proof of that.”

However the Mayor said he was happy that people wanted to extend the tourist tax, because he believed that shows it is working. 

According to studies by tourism economics centre, Ciset, tourism increased by 12 percent in Veneto and remained stable or slightly decreased in Venice on many days when entry was ticketed, which the mayor believes shows it is a success.

Tourism Councilor Simone Venturini hinted that the entry fee will expand again next year: “This year we have doubled the days and increased the cost for those who do not book and next year we will improve even more.”