The authorities of Venice have adopted a decree reducing the maximum number of passengers in gondolas from six to five people.
The administration of the city of Doge considered that tourists have become too heavy for the traditional rowing boats transporting them, and this threatens their safety.
Long deprived of customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and after a historic flood at the end of 2019, which has already caused a significant blow to tourism, the Venetian gondoliers were forced to sharply reduce their activity.
The Association of gondoliers of Venice explained that the measure adopted by the authorities of Serenissima is not aimed at increasing the profit of rowers, but is designed to facilitate the safety and maneuverability of the famous black barks.
As for the large, so-called parade gondolas, the regulations of the municipal authorities now allow only 12 people to board them, instead of 14 previously.
"Tourists today are overweight, and when the gondola is full, there is an overload and the boat begins to scoop up the water. Therefore, it is dangerous to transport passengers whose total weight reaches more than half a ton," Agence France-Presse quotes the testimony of one of the gondoliers.
The Venice city council also plans to increase the number of licenses issued to bark owners from 433 to 440.
According to the new regulation, the license can be transferred within the same family without passing the exam by the new owner, provided that he can confirm four years tour on the family gondola.
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