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Venice sinking as property prices rise
Property prices in the short break city of Venice are soaring as Venetians quit to live elsewhere In the 16th century Venice was one of the world's most populated cities but today it has only 60,000 residents and 21 million tourists.
The numbers are down from 100,000 in 1978 and 80,000 in 1998, according to previous population surveys. One of the reasons for the exodus is the cost of living in the popular tourist break city and the high price of property too.
Hotel numbers have soared to cash on on the tourist trade and that has curbed residential development, making it harder than ever for Venetians to stay or to return. Property prices are among the highest in Italy, and deaths outnumber births two to one.
Some Venetians are worried. There is now a residents-only vaporetto or water boat , which carries only locals along the Grand Canal. Also on the cards is a "city pass" plan, effectively a tax on tourists. This has been sidelined after protest from hoteliers but is still on the city council agenda.
And Venessia.com, an online group, has installed a digital counter in a shop window near the Rialto Bridge where the numbers leaving the city is there for all to see. In March Venetian residents numbered 60,720 and now is is approaching the 60,000 mark.
This article was written for TravelSavvy Europe by Val Adams. For more information see: Venice - Survival. If you know of an interesting European travel related news story, please get in contact.
