The mayor of Nice reversed his decision on Friday regarding the significant restrictions on large cruise ship visits aimed at curbing overtourism in the French Riviera city.
Last month, Christian Estrosi issued an order that barred cruise ships with over 900 passengers from disembarking for sightseeing tours in the Mediterranean port city.
“Pleasure boating is acceptable, but floating hotels are not,” Estrosi remarked at that time.
The order would have still permitted smaller vessels, which typically provide more luxurious experiences and attract a wealthier clientele.
Large cruise ships discharging significant numbers of tourists have created tensions in various port cities as they inundate local attractions. Additionally, many ports lack the infrastructure to provide electricity to these large vessels, necessitating that they keep their engines running, which contributes to pollution and disrupts nearby residents.
This decision has sparked disappointment among numerous local businesses and the cruise industry, while environmentalists have praised the move, criticizing Estrosi’s initial reversal.
“The Mediterranean is not a dumping ground, and our coastline should not be compromised for the financial gain of a select few,” local environmentalists stated in a press release.
Following discussions with community leaders, Estrosi plans to present a proposal to the port authority on March 7 that aims to balance “public health concerns with the needs of the local economy.”
The proposal would permit 65 cruise ships, each carrying up to 2,500 passengers, to enter the bay of Villefranche-sur-mer, but only one ship at a time. Vessels with fewer than 450 passengers would be allowed to dock at Nice’s port.
The port authority anticipates that nearly 90 cruise ships will visit Villefranche-sur-mer this year, including about 20 that will exceed 2,500 passengers.
In total, 125 cruise ships are expected to dock at Nice’s port this year, with a dozen of them carrying more than 1,250 passengers.
This year, approximately 125 cruise ships are expected to arrive at the port of Nice, with around twelve of them accommodating more than 125 passengers each.
Estrosi’s choice follows a recent meeting with environmental advocate Paul Watson, the founder of the conservation organization Sea Shepherd, as part of the preparations for the upcoming third United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled to be held in Nice in June.
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