A few weeks later, the government seemed to listen, announcing that to defend Venice's ecosystem and heritage, cruise liners would be banned from the lagoon from Aug. 1. The move ended years of political hesitation, apparently putting the demands of residents and culture bodies above those of port workers and the tourist industry. While campaigners worry about pollution and erosion in a city already in peril from rising seas, port workers hit by months of lockdowns fear for their livelihoods. "It was a very huge blow, I felt awful," said Antonio Velleca, who has worked for a baggage handling co-operative for cruise ships in Venice for 15 years. Filippo Olivetti, managing director of the Bassani group that provides port and tourism services, said Venice could not survive without cruise ships.

Source: The Star July 30, 2021 09:45 UTC