Venice locals have expressed anger at tourists and influencers for popularising the city's cheap gondola ferries, known as traghetti, which cost just €2 (£1.70) for tourists and 70 cents for residents. These four crossings on the Grand Canal offer a fraction of the cost of a typical 30-minute gondola ride, which averages £68.
The traghetti have become a viral sensation on social media, with videos showing holidaymakers how to save money. One YouTuber told followers: 'With this gondola, for only €2, in four minutes you can cross the Grand Canal, just the time to take a photo to send to your friends.' Another Instagram user posted: 'It is a really quick ride, but it’s great for solo travellers or anyone who doesn’t want to pay €80-100 to experience a gondola ride.'
Local artist Andrea Morucchio said the trend is causing residents to suffer. He told The Times: 'The ferries have become the latest trend for tourists who want to spend little and get in a gondola. Thanks to influencers and bloggers it has become one of the most popular things in Venice and as a result Venetians are suffering.'
Simone Venturini, Venice’s councillor for tourism, revealed that the city considered raising the tourist price above €2, using the extra money to open two new routes across the canal. He said: 'An increase would be justified since tourists are using the service as a substitute gondola ride.'
This comes amid wider concerns about overtourism in Venice, which welcomes 30 million visitors annually. Day-trippers currently pay a €5 (£4.20) entry fee, but local businessman Setrak Tokatzian has proposed a €100 (£86) fee. He said: 'This tourism is obscene, there's a complete explosion of overtourism like never before, with a type of people wandering around without entering shops or even knowing where they are.'
