Venetians pack their bags as tourism takes its toll

Reuters ^ | November 12, 2016 | Staff

[C19fan]

Dozens of Venetians waved maroon and yellow flags and carried empty suitcases on Saturday during a symbolic demonstration to highlight an exodus of residents from the lagoon city, where tourist hordes can make everyday life challenging. Images of narrow Venetian alleys clogged with visitors during the All Saints holiday weekend filled Italian papers last week, rekindling a debate about limiting access to the city through a booking system. Venetians have long complained that food shopping and other daily errands have become increasingly tricky as the city focuses on meeting the needs of the more than 20 million tourists who are estimated to visit it every year.

[Pilated]

you have to live through cruise ship loads of people day in day out, tourist on an average summer day outnumber the permanent residents. They arrive on a ship floating on water and then ask when they disembark “whats the altitude here?” Where is the closest McDonalds?

[CottonBall]

ok, maybe only the intelligent tourists are there to imagine the history. ;)

I hate cruise ships. I won’t ever be on one unless i am too old to do anything for myself. 10 cities in 12 days? Yeah, i’m sure one gets the culture and ambiance of a region with that kind of float-by viewing.

[TADSLOS]

It really is a facade city. Active by day from tourism. A ghost town at night for the most part.