Overview

• A trial levy of €5–€10 on 54 peak days concluded in July after raising €5.4 million from more than 720,000 visitors.
• Setrak Tokatzian, head of the St Mark’s Square business association, has called for a steep €100 fee to deter low-spending tourists.
• Consumer advocates and some local trade groups warn that such a high charge could be impractical, exclusionary and fail to change visitor behaviour.
• Council officials say the pilot successfully balanced crowd control with open access and will channel proceeds into projects benefiting residents.
• Data from the trial will be analysed before any decision is made on increasing the day-trip levy for next season.