Venice mayor claims he is brave like Marco Polo in charging day-trippers €5

Luigi Brugnaro says he is taking a risk no politician has taken before in his measure to preserve the city

The mayor of Venice has likened the “bravery” of his decision to charge day-trippers an entrance fee to the city to that of the legendary Venetian explorer Marco Polo.

Venice will become the first mayor city in the world to adopt such a measure when the long-mooted €5 (£4.30) fee comes into force later this month.