The latest round in Venice’s love/hate relationship with tourists takes on the shops that provide tourists with walk-away food as they tour the city.
Under new regulations proposed in the city council, no new businesses will be allowed that sell kebabs, fast food, pizza by the slice—in fact, the only exemption is for artisanal gelato. Existing businesses can stay, but will face restrictions.
Among other things put forward by councillors was the idea that deregulation of food and drink businesses has put at risk the environment, the “historical fabric” of the city and its “authentic identity.” The councillor who first proposed the rules claims that fast food has caused “a lowering of the food’s quality, and a negative perception of the city.”
Since tourism is both the city’s biggest problem and its primary source of income, the outcome is uncertain.
