How Venetians Look After Their Canals
England has many canals (our country was built on them, during the Industrial Revolution, all goods were transported to and from London this way, before the invention of the motor car).
But these days, although most of our canals are for leisure use, they are often full of litter and oil, and this is not good for local wildlife, nor tourism.
A few years ago, Venice (which obviously makes most of its income from tourism due to its beautiful canals and bridges) was also plagued by the same. But it did not just sit on its laurels. It did something about it.
Especially after the pandemic, when it found that previously polluted rivers suddenly became clear and free from pollution and litter. It inspired them to act!
Today, the bins are emptied up to 14 times a day (for both locals and tourists). And there is talk of a tourism tax, to fund cleaning up after tourists (who are the main ones dropping the litter).
Like many European cities (including Barcelona), this city’s residents now only really want tourists who are interested in its rich history and architecture. Not ‘quick day tourists’ who rush off cruise ships and buy tourist tat, then rush back on-board again, contributing nothing to local economies. In fact, the city of Venice has even now banned larger cruise ships, in an effort to protect their treasured canals.
