UNESCO recommends putting Venice on world heritage ‘at danger’ list

Posted by admin On August 02, 2023 0 Comment

Photo: Unsplash

UNESCO thinks Venice should be placed on the list of ‘at risk’ world heritage sites.

The city is on the cusp of ‘irreversible’ damage, it says.

The UNESCO report cites the rampant overtourism but also rising sea levels due to climate change.

Venice has been widely viewed as a poster child for overtourism although city officials have started fighting back.

They have taken a decisions to halt cruise ship traffic within the city and are planning restrictions on day trippers.

The Venice municipality said they will ‘carefully read’ the report and have discussions with the Italian government.

The UNESCO report cites a ‘lack of strategic vision’ to combat the impact of overtourism.

The UN body proposed putting Venice on the danger list two years ago but dropped it after assurances from the Italian government.

Around 28 million tourists visit Venice every year.

There are 55 world heritage sites on UNESCO’s at risk register with more than 200 more being actively monitored.