Arr! Venice, the grand city, be in dire straits as it stares down the cannon of a mighty tourism storm!
2023-09-14
Arrr! Many a beloved tourist hav'n spots be overrun by a swarm o' adventurers, seekin' to make amends fer the time lost durin' th' confinement. Aye, they be yearnin' to restore th' lost freedom, me hearties!
The ancient city of Venice is at risk of being added to UNESCO's "endangered" list due to the overwhelming impact of mass tourism. Despite efforts to protect the city's cultural sites, the influx of tourists, known as "revenge travel," has been a challenge. Tourism in Venice has soared since travel restrictions eased, with a 250% increase in passenger volumes in 2022 compared to the previous year. The city was already struggling with significant tourism before the pandemic, with millions of tourists visiting each year. Venice joined the World Heritage list in 1987 but could lose its status if it fails to maintain the quality of its historical sites.UNESCO previously threatened to downgrade Venice in 2021, but the ban on cruise ships traveling through the city appeased the World Heritage Committee. However, the city now faces the issue of having more tourist beds than residents. To combat the surge, Venice plans to introduce a 5 euro entrance fee for day-trippers on high-traffic days, although critics worry this could lead to the "Disneyfication" of the city. The recommendation to downgrade Venice also includes the impact of climate change, noting that the underwater barriers to protect the city are not fully operational.
UNESCO will also consider listing five other sites as "endangered," including Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the historic center of Lviv, the ancient city of Nessebar, the Diyarbakir Fortress, and the Kamchatka Volcanoes. The decision to downgrade a site is not meant to be punitive but to raise awareness of the need for action.