Venice, one of Italy's most frequented tourist hotspots, will soon require an entry fee of up to $12 to slow the number of visitors.

The move also includes new terms that would require visitors to reserve a time to enter the city. A daily entry cap would be enforced by installing electronic turnstiles.

Exempted from the new rule are residents, relatives of residents, children six and under, and those who have reservations to stay in local hotels.

A city council member was reportedly critical of the move, saying it would turn the city into a theme park.

Details of the move were reported Saturday by Italian newspaper LA Stampa.

The small city, which can receive up to 80,000 visitors a day, has been burdened by the influx and has sought to implement such visitor measures since February 2019. The plans were halted due to the pandemic.

Along with the restrictions, a new rule was also added by the city at the beginning of this month which now bans large cruise ships from sailing into the center of Venice to help with keeping the water clean. Shutdown measures have helped the canals, which are the clearest they've been in years.

Residents have been frustrated by the high volume of tourists. In 2017, thousands of Venetians protested how the large influx of tourists has hurt housing, services, and opportunities for residents.

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