Venice, merchants raise alarm: "Tourists aren't spending; we need a hit-and-run tax."

Thousands and thousands of tourists, every day, in one of the world's most famous destinations. But not everyone is happy, starting with the merchants in the historic center, since in Venice, most visitors fill the streets but don't even enter the shops. In short, according to jeweler Setrak Tokatzian , president of the Piazza San Marco Association, "it's like living in a state of emergency. An unprecedented phenomenon: overcrowding that, however, doesn't bring economic benefits to the city."

This is what Tokatzian told Corriere Veneto , sparking a wave of criticism from several followers. The jeweler takes issue especially with "groups wandering aimlessly, guided by tour operators, boarding gondolas, taking water taxis, but not stopping at any shops." According to the merchant, "you used to see tourists with designer bags leaving the shops in Piazza San Marco. Today, it's rare. Not to mention entire families sharing bread or drinks and lines at the fountains to get water because they can't even buy that anymore. I ask myself," concludes Setrak Tokatzian, "where are the nice people, the ones who are interested in the city, the ones who really bring something to the city? They arrive in the morning on buses from the coast and leave in the afternoon, without having spent a single euro."

The president of the Piazza San Marco Association even has his own recipe for overcoming the crisis: "We need to put a limit on the large daily tourist flows. I'd charge these people 100 euros each. There are waves of people wearing white bracelets arriving from the campsites. These people don't even know what culture is, and it shows because they arrive without even knowing where they are, and they leave without having bought anything."

Many internet users responded bluntly: "But where is it written that a tourist visiting a city like Venice should be forced to spend money at a restaurant or souvenir shop where any item costs at least three times as much as elsewhere?" wrote Edoardo. "Lower the prices. Last week I paid 1 euro for a minute's bathroom break and three coffees and two ice creams for 22 euros. What are we talking about? I also paid 18 euros in daily tax per person. You're waiting for idiots, not tourists. The 18-euro vaporetto fare is crazy. Then you complain? Who knows!" commented Arthur M.