Venice's Special Status at Risk as Tourism Crisis and Climate Change Threaten

Venice is at risk of losing its special World Heritage status as mass tourism overwhelms the city, with tourists often outnumbering residents. UNESCO has warned that Venice has not done enough to protect its cultural sites, and the city could be moved to the "endangered" list. The surge in tourism, known as "revenge travel," has seen passenger volumes increase by almost 250% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Venice already struggled with significant tourism before the pandemic, and failure to address the issues could result in the city losing its World Heritage status. The city plans to enforce an entrance fee for day-trippers, but critics worry it may lead to the "Disneyfication" of Venice.