Venice has made five million Euro (£4.7million) with a daily five Euro (£4.35) tourist tax this summer, but some businesses want it raised to clamp down on 'unclassy' visitors.
The charge was introduced in April as part of a trial run following one last year and was payable over 54 selected days until last Sunday by day trippers who visited the iconic Italian lagoon city.
Officials said that the charge, payable by visitors who arrived for the day between 8.30am and 4pm, was paid by 720,000 compared to 485,000 last year.
However, Setrak Tokatzian, president of the Venice's historic Piazza San Marco Association of small businesses, has urged council chiefs to up the tax to an eye-watering 100 Euro (£87).
Mr Tokatzian, who runs a jewellery shop in the heart of Venice, said it would be worth it because many of the 30million people who visit the city each year are lowering the tone of the city.
