With its canals and streets largely empty of both tourists and residents, and no cruise ships coming for the foreseeable future, Venice is putting off the date to start collecting its long-planned tax on tourist visits.
The tax, originally intended to go into effect last year, had been postponed by legal and techincal issues to July 1st, but will now be held off until July 1, 2021. The tax was intended to give the city additional funds to deal with its status as one of the world's top attractions and most overrun cities, and also to thin out the crowds. The tax, ranging from €3 on slow days to €10 on the busiest, applies only to day visitors; those who stay overnight already pay a hotel tax.
One side effect of the emptying of the city and the practical cessation of motorboat traffic has been that for the first time in years, water in the canals is clear, the bottom can be seen, including schools of fish.
Aerial photo: DrFumblefinger/TravelGumbo
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