Could Liverpool tourists be going for a song?

THERE was a Europe-wide ripple of discontent when the local authorities at Venice suggested they might charge tourists to enter the city. They get 30 million tourists a year, mainly cruise ship passengers, who sleep and eat on board without spending any money.

Last year turnstiles were installed to regulate the flow into the old city because of over-crowding.

A Venetian trader said bluntly: “We need a better class of tourist.”

Ones who will spend money to boost the economy and help pay for the never ending maintenance of a romantic city built around canals.

Which is why officials plan to charge them a 2.50 euros basic entry fee, rising to between five to 10 euros at busy times of the year.

Now Liverpool has been debating a tourist tax on guest accommodation in the city to pay for cultural events.

They are both cities with a maritime tradition but which has most going for it?

Venice has palaces, churches, history, Gothic and renaissance architecture, fine restaurants, gondolas, regattas, mardi gras, art exhibitions, concerts, opera and the Venice Film Festival.

Liverpool has museums and a