A cruise ship arrived in Venice for the first time in 17 months Thursday, signalling the return of tourists after the coronavirus pandemic but enraging those who decry the impact of the giant floating hotels on the world heritage site.
The MSC Orchestra arrived empty from the Greek port of Piraeus and will pick up about 650 passengers on Saturday, before heading south to sample the delights of Bari, Corfu, Mykonos and Dubrovnik.
The numbers on board are limited by Covid-19 restrictions to a fraction of the ship's usual 3,000 capacity, while all passengers must show negative tests before joining the cruise.
However, their presence in Venice is proving no less controversial than it was before the pandemic, with two demonstrations planned for Saturday one in support of the cruise ship, one against.
Environmental protesters warn the large waves caused by the cruise ships are eroding the foundations of the buildings in Venice, which with its lagoon are designated a UNESCO heritage site.
Celebrities and cultural figures including Mick Jagger, Francis Ford Coppola and Richard Armstrong, director of the New York's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, this week called for an end to the passage of large ships through the lagoon.
In an open letter to the Italian government calling for a range of measures to better protect the city, they warned the historic site risked being "swept away" by the ships.
Compiled by the Venetian Heritage Foundation, the letter also urged an end to mass tourism that "wears it out".
Italy's government announced in March that cruise ships would no longer sail past Venice's iconic St Mark's Square and dock in the historic centre, but instead be diverted to the city's industrial port.
However, the infrastructure is not yet in place for this to happen.
ETX Studio
Fri Jun 04 2021
![First cruise ship in 17 months arrives in Venice First cruise ship in 17 months arrives in Venice](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/51622771331_VENICE.jpg)
The MSC Orchestra cruise ship sails past St. Mark's Square and the Doge's palace as it arrives on June 03, 2021 in Venice, Italy. ETXStudiopic
![Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723693423_TBTOLAKISTERI.jpg)
Lelaki tolak isteri jatuh gaung didakwa esok
Suspek kes pukul dan tolak isteri ke dalam gaung di Kilometer 31.2 Jalan Raya Timur Barat (JRTB) Gerik-Jeli dekat Gerik, Julai lalu akan didakwa di mahkamah pada Jumaat.
![KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/71682503318_PEMANTAUANUDARAAPM.jpg)
KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi
Prestasi paling penting ialah peningkatan perbelanjaan isi rumah, disebabkan oleh keyakinan isi rumah yang semakin baik.
![Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723691432_NidzaAfham.jpg)
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Venice kekalkan caj masuk lebih tinggi pada waktu puncak Venice kekalkan caj masuk lebih tinggi pada waktu puncak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720781256_TBStMarksSquare.jpg)
Venice kekalkan caj masuk lebih tinggi pada waktu puncak
Venice akan terus mengenakan yuran kemasukan bagi pengunjung harian apabila tempoh percubaan untuk caj itu berakhir hujung minggu ini.
![Na'imah peroleh pasport sementara ke London, Venice Na'imah peroleh pasport sementara ke London, Venice](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71705975527_TBTohPuanNaimah.jpg)
Na'imah peroleh pasport sementara ke London, Venice
Mahkamah memerintahkan Na'imah menyerahkan pasport kepada mahkamah selepas kembali ke Malaysia sebelum atau pada 27 Julai ini.
![Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51694756318_Gondoliers.jpg)
Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO
Keputusan itu dibuat oleh sebuah jawatankuasa UNESCO yang sedang bermesyuarat di Riyadh, Arab Saudi.
![Venice Grand Canal: Penduduk tidak suka penggunaan bot moden Venice Grand Canal: Penduduk tidak suka penggunaan bot moden](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/51637529543_TBVeniceProtes.jpg)
Venice Grand Canal: Penduduk tidak suka penggunaan bot moden
Kerajaan dilihat tidak berbuat apa-apa berhubung penggunaan bot-bot moden serta kapal besar menelusuri terusan sungainya yang popular.
![COVID-19: Sekatan susulan masih dilaksanakan di beberapa negara COVID-19: Sekatan susulan masih dilaksanakan di beberapa negara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/81612055433_Greece.jpg)
COVID-19: Sekatan susulan masih dilaksanakan di beberapa negara
Antaranya di Greece, yang mana kebanyakan operasi perniagaan ditutup dan pihak berkuasa hanya membenarkan bawa pulang.
![Tonton wayang sambil menaiki gondola... Mahu cuba? Tonton wayang sambil menaiki gondola... Mahu cuba?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/81608870680_wayangfilipina.jpg)
Tonton wayang sambil menaiki gondola... Mahu cuba?
Mereka menaiki gendola yang dijarakkan antara satu sama lain sambil menonton filem yang ditayangkan.
![Pengemudi gondola bersihkan sungai, jumpa dapur dalam Grand Canal Pengemudi gondola bersihkan sungai, jumpa dapur dalam Grand Canal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-11/41572875261_GondolierscleanVen.jpg)
Pengemudi gondola bersihkan sungai, jumpa dapur dalam Grand Canal
Pengemudi gondola memunggut sampah-sarap daripada bahagian bawah terusan yang terkenal itu dalam kegelapan di sekitar Jambatan Rialto untuk enam jam.
![Gerhana 'Super Blue Blood Moon' sebab terusan Venice kering? Gerhana 'Super Blue Blood Moon' sebab terusan Venice kering?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-02/61517628175_VeniceCanals.jpg)
Gerhana 'Super Blue Blood Moon' sebab terusan Venice kering?
Venice bakal ditenggelami air? Lagi kering jadinya!
![Ceritalah ASEAN - Karya seni Asia Tenggara di Venice Ceritalah ASEAN - Karya seni Asia Tenggara di Venice](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-06/51497348174_CeritalahASEAN.jpg)
Ceritalah ASEAN - Karya seni Asia Tenggara di Venice
Karya seni dari Indonesia nampak kusam, dari Filipina tidak mengilhamkan, dari Thailand begitu begitu saja dan dari Singapura! Karya-karya dari Singapura penuh dengan keajaiban, misteri dan keindahan.