The usually bustling lanes of Venice turned desolate this year as COVID took the city in its grip. Italy has been one of the worst-hit nations by the pandemic, Venice at its core. Now, as reports of a COVID vaccine are doing the rounds and a high possibility of international tourism to start soon, Venice too is keen to bring tourists back. Thus, the city administration has decided to postpone tourist tax till 2022.
The said tourist tax has been postponed yet again, as the historic city tries to recover from the pandemic. Previously, the concerned authorities in Venice had planned to levy daily taxes that would have ranged between 3 Euros to 10 Euros, depending on the time of visit. The tax was mainly targeted at day trippers visiting the city. The collected tax would have been spent on keeping the city clean and safe.
Now, the proposed taxes have been postponed till January 1, 2022.
City Councillor Michele Zuin commented on the same, stating that, “In light of the current situation, linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to make a big gesture to help encourage the return of tourists.”
While Venice is still not open to regular international travellers, the announcement has been seen as a welcome move and hint of the same. The now-empty city might soon again be brimming with travellers and the joyous bustle that it stood for in the pre-COVID times.