Overtourism, biodiversity, luxury: to preserve its environment, the city of Nice is making a bold move against sea giants.
On January 24, 2025, Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice and president of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolitan area, signed a decree banning cruise ships carrying more than 900 passengers from entering the Port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This decision is part of an effort to combat overtourism and pollution, both of which are directly attributed to the cruise tourism sector. « Yachting, yes, floating skyscrapers, no, » declared the mayor, staying true to his stance.
Villefranche-sur-Mer, the only port able to accommodate these massive ships, sees the arrival of 223,000 cruise passengers each year. These visitors, sometimes described as « low-cost » consumers who « leave their waste behind, » are at the center of criticism. The cruise sector is also under fire for its significant environmental impact. In 2023, Europe’s top 218 ships emitted as much sulfur oxide as one billion cars, and their methane emissions have skyrocketed in recent years.
A Measure Praised but Criticized
The environmental opposition, led by Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (EELV), called the decision a « victory in the ecological battle. » However, they also pointed out the lack of consistency in Christian Estrosi’s stance, as he supports the expansion of Nice’s airport and remains silent on the issue of mega-yachts.
While ships carrying fewer than 900 passengers, often more luxurious, can still dock, this measure places Nice alongside cities like Venice and Amsterdam in restricting these sea giants. But beyond ecology, some question whether this decision is also driven by a desire to modernize tourism and target a more elite clientele.
Nice seems to be redefining its tourist identity. However, balancing ecological needs, economic interests, and political communication leaves the debate open.
Source: positivr
