While locals enjoyed the peace and quiet during Italy’s nationwide lockdown, they’re also counting the costs of the complete lack of tourists.
All agree that the tide of money is needed, but some are wary of mass tourism.
It didn’t taken long for visitors to return to Venice after Italy reopened its borders to EU member states and countries belonging to the passport-free Schengen Area on June 3.
Many of the country’s neighbours followed suit, and at least 16 European countries now allow unrestricted travel to and from Italy, with others are set to lift travel bans in the coming weeks.
Some are taking the chance to catch an unusually peaceful view of Venice, where around 85 per cent of all tourists come from overseas.
Photo: AAP
Venice has a strained relationship with tourists, as it struggles with huge crowds and pollution but relies on visitors for its economic survival.
For the estimated 65 per cent of residents who work in tourism, the ban on visitors saw them struggle financially.
Photo: ANSA
While most Venetians accept that the city relies on tourism, many hope for a more sustainable future that protects their home while ensuring its survival.
“We hope to have slow tourism in the future,” director of the Foundation for the Civic Museums of Venice, Gabriella Belli, said.
“This does not mean less tourism, it means better organised tourism.”
Photo: AAP
Elsewhere in Italy, many monuments, famous buildings, museums and historical sites have reopened, including St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Colosseum in Rome, the ancient site of Pompeii, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the cathedrals of Florence and Milan.
