A Swiss village overwhelmed by the influx of tourists seeks to impose an entry fee.
A small valley community in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland region, Lauterbrunnen, is experiencing issues with overcrowding, litter, and high rents due to its popularity as a tourist destination. The local government has formed a working group to brainstorm ways to mitigate the effects of overtourism. One idea under consideration is the implementation of an entry fee for certain visitors.
This fee, which would be paid through a smartphone app, would range from 5 to 10 Swiss francs ($5.50 to $10.99), and would apply only to day visitors who arrive by car. Exceptions would be made for those who have booked accommodations or excursions, as well as those using public transportation. Lauterbrunnen's Mayor, Karl Näpflin, has confirmed that this is one of the possibilities being considered.
Tourist taxes of this nature have already been introduced in approximately 60 destinations worldwide, and the implementation of such fees can be controversial. The launch of the Venice entry charge on April 25 was met with resistance by some locals, who felt their city was being converted into a tourist trap. The city of Venice will continue to test this system until July 14.
The picturesque town of Lauterbrunnen boasts several natural attractions, such as the impressive Staubbach Falls, one of Europe's tallest uninterrupted waterfalls at 270 meters. In 2021, the Swiss hotel industry experienced record levels of overnight stays during the summer season, reaching 23.9 million.
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The entry fee proposal in Lauterbrunnen aims to address issues like overcrowding and high rents, common in overtouristed destinations. Some travelers may need to pay between 5 to 10 Swiss francs if they visit as day tourists by car, but exceptions will be made for those with booked accommodations or excursions, or using public transportation.
Despite the controversial nature of tourist taxes, numerous destinations worldwide have implemented entry fees to manage visitor numbers and preserving the local charm, as seen in Venice's recent experiment.
Source: edition.cnn.com
