Emerging from Venice’s railway station on a dank, rainy morning, Sylvain Pellarin was the first person in the world to arrive in the city as it imposed an entrance fee on tourists, a controversial initiative that is being closely watched by other tourist hotspots.
The scheme, which has divided opinion in the World Heritage city, is intended to drastically cut the number of tourist arrivals and relieve some of the strain that ordinary Venetians have endured for years.
For his part, Mr Pellarin said he was happy to hand over €5 (£4.30) for the entry fee at a shiny new ticket office that has been set up in front of the station, a few yards from the Grand Canal.
“I’ve been coming to Venice since I was a child and I have seen mass tourism intensify,” said the 55-year-old quality controller from Orleans, in France.
“I’m fine with paying it if the money is used well to protect the city. I think it’s right that you have to pay to see a place like Venice.”
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