Several European countries are working to reduce the number of cruise ships docking at their ports, with some pushing for outright bans.
Nice, France, has joined the movement, proposing a ban on cruise ships of a certain size entering its port. The move is aimed at protecting the environment and preserving the city’s coastal beauty, according to Time.
Why does Nice want to ban cruise ships?
Nice, along with other European cities such as Barcelona and Venice, are trying to limit cruise ships along their Mediterranean coasts, according to Time.
Mayor Christian Estrosi has been vocal in his opposition to the “floating hotels,” arguing they offer little economic benefit to the city. Instead, he points to the pollution they cause and the influx of tourists who spend little in the city as major drawbacks.
“I don’t want these floating hotels putting down their anchors in Nice,” said Estrosi to Time. “These cruises that pollute [and] that pour out their low-cost customers who do not consume anything and who leave their rubbish behind them, well I say these cruises don’t have a place here.”
A cruise ship cruises the Mediterranean off the coast of Nice, southeastern France, during the sunset, Friday, May 6, 2016. | Lionel Cironneau
Although Estrosi believes banning cruise ships will benefit the landscape of Nice — a mission that pleases environmentalists — but leaves small business owners of Nice fearing weary of the lack of consumers to contribute to their livelihood according to Time.
Per Travel and Leisure, Estrosi plans to deny cruise ships with more than 900 passengers and measuring over 190 meters. Calling cruise ships of that size, a form of “low-cost tourism.”
This is a significant cut back, as cruise ships that hold 3,500 passengers regularly visit the blue, French Mediterranean waters said Travel and Leisure.
He claimed that the move would lead to a 70 per cent fall in the number of passengers arriving on cruises, per Time.
If Estrosi’s vision goes according to plan, this ban will go into place as soon as July 1 this summer, according to Travel and Leisure.
Other European countries wanting to ban cruise ships
Nice isn’t the first European city to try and limit the “floating hotels” from docking at their ports.
Cities such as Mallorca, Barcelona and Venice also want to keep large cruise ships out of their cities, according to Euro News. Similar to Nice, Venice argues the large ships cause pollution and harm the foundation of the city.
According to Euro News, the Mediterranean is the second-largest market for cruises outside of the Caribbean and the high passenger count puts strain on the local population.
While local businesses have expressed their concerns, Euro News said, “Several studies have shown that passengers disembarking from ships don’t contribute as much to the local economy as you might think. With all the food, drink and souvenirs they could ever want available on board, the money stays at sea.”
The bans in Nice have yet to be implemented. According to Time Estrosi still has to convince the government, who does not want to proceed with the ban.