Italy is considering implementing a reservation system and charging admission fees for the popular tourist spot, the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
According to AP and other sources, on September 6, Alessandro Onorato, the councilor responsible for tourism in Rome, informed the local Messaggero newspaper that there are plans to offer free access to residents of Rome. However, non-residents will be charged between 1 and 2 euros (approximately $1.06 to $2.12).
Authorities made this decision in response to the severe issue of overtourism, especially with the upcoming Jubilee Holy Year.
The year 2025 marks the Jubilee, a sacred year that occurs every 25 years, during which the Catholic Church offers special spiritual graces to believers. With the Catholic event planned for next year in Rome, where the Trevi Fountain is located, around 32 million tourists and pilgrims are expected to visit.
Even now, it is difficult for tourists to enjoy the Trevi Fountain due to overcrowding properly. With the Jubilee events, crowd control would be virtually impossible, raising concerns and prompting authorities to prepare preventive measures to reduce chaos.
This proposal follows the April introduction of an entrance fee of 5 euros by Venice, another major Italian tourist city.
Onorato explained, “Two euros is more or less the same amount that people toss into the fountain to make a wish.’’He emphasized the need to avoid confusion for tourists while allowing them to continue enjoying the fountain.
He aims to have a reservation and QR code-based payment systems by the 2025 Jubilee year. However, the proposal must pass through city council deliberations before implementation.
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