Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Responsible Tourism
In the wake of Tuscany's 2012 Costa Concordia shipwreck, Unesco expressed concern
about the impact of cruise ships on Venice and its Unesco-protected lagoon. Italy's Port
Authority has proposed re- routing cruise ships to Venice via Porta Marghera, bypassing
Giudecca Canal, at an estimated cost of €123 million - a bargain, considering cruise lines
pay Italy €40 million annually for docking privileges. But critics like Venice's No Grandi
Navi (No Big Ships) committee oppose cruise-ship entry for introducing pollution to the la-
goon, including canal bank-corroding sulphur. Alternative seaward ports have been pro-
posed at Malamocco.
Meanwhile, responsible tourists are taking action. The conservation measures many vis-
itors already take - eating sustainably sourced local food, conserving water, using products
free of industrial chemicals - are offsetting their impact on lagoon. To change Venice travel
patterns for the greener, consider supporting Venetian businesses that are known to be en-
vironmentally savvy (marked with a leaf symbol in this topic).
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