Nice, capital of the Alpes – Maritime department of the French Riviera, a splendid destination sits on the pebbly shores of the idyllic Baie des Anges, the second largest French city on the Mediterranean coast in the Provence – Alpes - Côte d' Azur region after Marseille, boasting a rich culture, history,and beautiful nature scenery, famous for its beaches, old town, the iconic Promenade des Anglais and its relevant museums has announced that it will prevent the arrival of large cruise ships in summer citing environmental impact and overtourism.
The French city has announced that it will prevent the docking of cruise ships with more than 900 passengers from July this year, the measures still needs regional approval, although Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has signed a decree which include the docking in the ports of Nice and neighboring Villefranche - sur - Mer, famed centre located south - west of the Principality of Monaco, west of the French – Italian border and in addition a reduction in the number of ferry crossing between Nice and the the French island of Corsica has also been requested for environmental reasons.
Unlike many other Mediterranean ports, Nice’s port is located directly opposite residential streets, rather than in large isolated port complexes, as is the case in in neighboring cities, such as Marseille, however this decree still need the approval of the regional authorities, as Nice is part of the French region of Provence - Alpes - Côte d’ Azur.
If this ban is approved, cruise lines, which already have scheduled calls in these places for the summer season of 2025, will have to look for alternatives and changing their plans.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nice estimates that cruise passengers spend an average of €38.0 during their visits to the city, although CLIA, the international Association of Cruise Lines, pointed that they regret the statements of the Mayor of Nice, which unfairly stigmatized both tourism professionals and the passengers, even more surprised, as only three large cruise ships and 34 medium – sized ships are expected to anchor in Villefranche - sur - Mer during 2025.
CLIA also highlights that together with its member companies, it will continue to work closely with ports and municipalities that share the will to develop increasingly sustainable tourism.
But that's nor all, because it has emerged that the nearby city of Cannes, renowned destination on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival, well known for its glamorous atmosphere, the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette, curving along the Mediterranean coast is also considering banning large cruise ships, following the example of other European cities such as Barcelona and Venice which have imposed restrictions forcing larger ships to dock further away from the city Centre.
The Mayor of Nice highlighted the phenomen of overtourism and concerns about marine biodiversity as reasons for the measure and he argued that cruise ships that pollute and throw waste on their low – cost clientele who consume nothing and leave their garbage, those cruise ships have not place among us.
Link - https://www.expreso.info/index.php/noticias/internacional/104956_niza_prohibe_en_verano_la_llegada_de_grandes_cruceros
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks a lot to read and note.