Post date: Sep 12, 2017 5:3:30 AM
One of the proposals we were tasked with investigating is the so-called "ZTL Revolution." This proposal isn't necessarily one that directly targets tourists, but all people who drive vehicles through ZTLs (zona al traffico limitato, or "limited traffic zone.") A ZTL is essentially an area where traffic is limited by imposing fees on vehicles (including cars, buses, and boats) that pass through the area. They are already commonplace in other parts of the country, such as Florence. The proposal is a relatively simple one in that it recommends expanding pre-existing laws, which means it likely won't require intensive legislation and legal kerfuffle to get it approved.
Overnight tourists who enter the city should register themselves to obtain IMOB cards ahead of time, which essentially exempt them from paying the ZTL tourist tax. Relatives of residents, commuters, and students are all exempt from these taxes.
Using an IMOB card doesn't exactly exempt their holders from paying the ZTL tax in that the money is given back to them only to be spent in Venice. The proposal is "revolutionary" in that it allows for gift vouchers for overnight tourists who pay the cost of passing through ZTLs. The vouchers reimburse them of the cost of the tax, but must be spent at a local Venetian craftsman's shop, thus helping stimulate the economy and aid the "made in Venice" movement.
The ZTL tax also fluctuates from 3 Euro during the off-season to 6 Euro during peak tourist season for those who have not pre-registered to obtain their ZTL card. In all, the proponents of ZTL expected (as of 2017) their plan to net the city of Venice a profit of 84 million Euro per year (full breakdown in slides below). Another benefit of ZTL is that it would utilize pre-existing infrastructure, so nothing new would have to be built.
The proposal calls for ticket enforcement from the Ponte della Libertà, which would force everyone entering the city via train or automobile to register if they have not done so already.
However, ZTLs aren't necessarily a deterrent to tourists coming from afar who may have no notion of the presence of ZTLs in Venice. They may even be willing to pay the small cost associating with passing through ZTLs (which everyone entering the city will pass through), rendering the plan to deter daytripping tourists useless. However, the potential for income for the government and stimulation of the local economy is an important factor to consider, as well as the relative ease with which new ZTL legislation could be passed.
- Joey
Click here for the key details of the ZTL Revolution proposal.