It’s been a long time coming but the Italian government has at last decided to effectively ban all cruise ships from Venice lagoon to preserve its future.
But it seems it was the threat by UNESCO to put one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations on the World Heritage blacklist that prompted the decision.
From 1 August all ships of more than 25,000 tons will be barred from entering the Giudecca Canal, blocking all but the smallest luxury cruise yachts.
There was a “concrete risk” of being placed on the UNESCO blacklist, according to its Culture Minister Dario Franceschini.
He added that the decision “also establishes an unbreakable principle, by declaring the urban waterways of St Mark’s Basin, St Mark’s Canal and the Giudecca Canal a national monument”.
The news will be a welcome relief for residents who for many years have been objecting to the overcrowding and pollution resulting from the boom in cruising.
But local businesses have thrived on the revenues that cruising has brought, and the government has said measures will be taken to help offset likely losses.
Currently there is no alternative location for cruise ships to dock, and those affected by the ban will be diverted to the industrial port of Marghera some 20 miles from the heart if Venice.
Image top of page courtesy of UNESCO