- Menendez brothers could be freed after prosecutor urges resentencing
- Tottenham teen Moore compared to Neymar after Europa League starring role
- 'Freedom': Russian anti-war sisters find new home in exile
- Ten Hag bemoans United's lack of 'killing' instinct, Spurs march on
- Commonwealth presses UK to atone for brutal past
- Pacers' Wiseman suffered torn Achilles tendon in season opener
- Google urged to step up efforts to demonetize climate falsehoods
- Norris says 'I'll do what I think is right' in Verstappen battle
- USA Volleyball names Kiraly men's coach through '28 Olympics
- Spurs march on as Mourinho red-carded against Man Utd in Europa League
- LA prosecutor to ask for resentencing of Menendez brothers
- Spurs march on in Europa League as Mourinho sees red against Man Utd
- US court blocks Coach owner's $8.5 bn buyout of Versace parent
- Unbeaten NFL Chiefs welcome Hopkins before facing Vegas
- 'Heroes': WNBA champions Liberty feted with NY parade
- IMF official calls on international community to bring end to Lebanon conflict
- Felix double fires Chelsea in Conference League rout, TNS make history
- Mourinho sees red as Fenerbahce hold Man Utd
- Sainz insists leaving Ferrari does not mean farewell to winning
- Huge US lithium mine gets govt approval
- Prolonged strike clouds new Boeing CEO's turnaround
- Venice to continue tourist entry fee in 2025
- Israel and Hamas signal openness to talks on Gaza war
- Bottas admits Mercedes supporting role may be only option
- Harris deploys Springsteen in celeb-heavy push
- Mozambique's ruling party re-elected, opposition holds protests
- Machado and Gonzalez Urrutia: Venezuela's 'fearless' opposition duo
- Detroit's Williams get two game NFL suspension for PED breach
- Drifting off - US late night talk shows no longer must-see TV
- Hoy has 'deep resolve' to find positives from cancer diagnosis
- Felix double fires Chelsea in Conference League rout
- Huge US lithium mine gets govt approval: company
- NBA Pelicans lose guard Murray indefinitely with broken hand
- Luton striker Adebayo targeted with 'cowardly' racist abuse
- Saudis part ways with coach Mancini after poor run
- Canada slashes immigration as public concern rises
- Ukraine says N. Korean troops arrived in Russian 'combat zone'
- Putin says ball in Washington's court on US-Russia ties
- US unveils national security plan to step up use of AI
- King of the road Pogacar pens UAE deal until 2030
- Sharapova, Bryan brothers elected to Tennis Hall of Fame
- Israel to send negotiators to new Gaza truce talks
- UK govt changes budget rules to borrow more for investment
- Carrasquilla and Dumornay named CONCACAF's players of the year
- Mongolia failed to cooperate in Putin arrest: ICC
- Chocolates for Nemo as Davies prepares for Vendee Globe
- Harris showcases Springsteen in star-studded swing state stop
- World already 'paying terrible price' for climate inaction: Guterres
- IMF chief seeks more details on BRICS payments system plans
- Sales of new US homes at highest level in over a year
Venice to continue tourist entry fee in 2025
Venice authorities said Thursday they would extend to next year a controversial experimental system that charges day tourists an entry fee to visit the floating city.
Considered one of the most beautiful cities on the planet, Venice is a top tourist destination -- but is drowning under the droves of sightseers who visit each year.
A trial of entry fees for day visitors began in April, when tourists who were not staying overnight in hotels were required for the first time to buy a five-euro ($5.4) ticket for entry into the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The 29 days in 2024 chosen to try out the scheme -- mostly crowded weekends and holidays -- would be increased to 54 next year, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said Thursday.
"Next year it will start on April 18 and will be active on 54 specific days," Brugnaro wrote on social media.
Those tourists who book at least four days in advance will continue to pay 5 euros, while last-minute bookings will rise to 10 euros, he said.
Brugnaro -- who has called the plan a "first step" towards managing tourist flows -- has maintained that the goal is to persuade day trippers to choose less busy times to visit Venice.
Authorities had debated for years, without taking concrete action, over how best to regulate the millions of visitors anxious to see sights including St Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge and Venice's countless picturesque canals.
But critics have scoffed at Brugnaro's plan, saying it would do little to discourage tourists while calling it a hastily arranged concession to UNESCO.
The UN's cultural arm had warned it would put Venice on its endangered list if authorities did not do more to manage its tourism.
Residents of Venice may continue to show their identity card for free access.
N.Fournier--BTB