Cruise ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers will be banned from docking in Cannes, as the French Riviera resort moves to impose strict new regulations on the industry.
Cannes, renowned for its iconic annual film festival and status as a glamorous global tourist hotspot, is now joining Venice and other European destinations in pushing back against overtourism.
It follows recent uproar from residents in Venice over Jeff Bezos’ wedding to Lauren Sanchez, as they accused the CEO of treating the historic city as a private playground.
Last week, news broke that the Amazon founder had effectively “rented out” parts of Venice for the multi-day celebration, forcing residents out and triggering a partial city shutdown.
Venetians were not happy with the move and in the days leading up to the ceremony, angry demonstrations erupted, with protesters carrying banners reading “No space for Bezos” and chanting against corporate greed.
Mounting public pressure eventually forced the CEO to move the main ceremony out of the city centre.
On Friday, city councillors in the French Riviera resort voted to introduce new limits, or “drastic regulation”, as they referred to it, on cruise ships in ports starting next year.
Only ships with fewer than 1,000 passengers will be allowed in the port, with a maximum of 6,000 passengers disembarking each day.
Larger ships will be expected to transfer passengers to smaller boats to enter Cannes.
Mayor David Lisnard said: "Cannes has become a major cruise ship destination, with real economic benefits.
“It's not about banning cruise ships, but about regulating, organising, setting guidelines for their navigation.”
