Traffic Jam Cruise Ships Venice

Since its birth, Venice and La Serenissima have survived the invasion of the Ottomans, the French, the Spanish, the Popes, the Austrians (and I have probably left out a few), but the invasion of the giant ships may be the last straw. The weekend of 21 September saw an invasion of the giants in numbers never seen before. There was a massive jam in the canal of Giudecca, partially due to the “no grandi navi” protestors who even swam in the water to stop the monsters. For a time lapse video of the ships with a view of the Giudecca Canal looking towards San Marco, made and presented Ufficio Stampa del Comune di Venezia, Click here ! A record 12 ships were projected to be in port, with 11 confirmed arrivals. This represented 40,000 tourists who arrived in Venice. Remember that Venice proper. Along with other bus tours, independent tourist, the number surges to about 60,000 tourist per day. Consider that the population of Venice dropped below 60,000 population mark in 2009. There was even a protest at the airport, the ship crews await the arrival of the tourist to transport to the boats. A widely debated subject all around Venice, only those who stand to gain monetarily from these massive cruise ships are on that side. Shopkeepers, restaurants, Murano (they are removed from the scene of possible accidents). The consideration of the contribution to Venice economy is substantial, slightly less than 200 Million Euro, represent about 20% of Venice economy. The pro and con groups include Venessia.com; No grandi navi and Cruise Venice, obviously on the side of the ships and tourism. However even in Murano we have heated arguments pro and con at the dinner table. The words on everyone’s mouth is “Venezia e unica” (There is only one Venice.) And this is true. There are about 4 plans on the table at the moment to be considered in Rome later this year. In case you want my opinion, I think it entirely selfish that a small population of people who choose to travel on cruise ships should endanger this magnificent city for joy of these few to “view up close” San Marco. Some things should be saved, protected, for the good of all – not just a few. I am not against the cruise ships, only that they are not allowed to come near San Marco, which of course sacrifices the Giudecca Canal, but I suppose in all things there must be compromise. It is not unrealistic to ask the cruise industry to protect the very city that makes them money,.Google