Venetians are furious after social media influencers exposed a well-kept local secret.
Content creators recently tipped off tourists about the traghetto gondola – a cheap ferry service used by Venice locals to cross the Grand Canal at points where there are no bridges.
The ‘traghetto gondola’ is a public service provided by the city that allows people to cross the water quickly at points where there are no bridges.
The journey takes just a few minutes and has always cost just two euros for visitors or as little as 70 cents for residents, The Times reports.
For years, the traghetti were used almost exclusively by Venetians.
But that changed when influencers began promoting them as a budget way to enjoy a gondola ride.
Now, the ‘travel hack’ has left the service oversubscribed, with long tourist queues forming at the crossings.
Travel guides have advertised the traghetti – which differ from Venice’s traditional gondolas in that they are steered by a single gondolier rather than two – for years.
Venetians have been left furious after influencers exposed a well-kept local secret. Pictured: A gondola on the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy
Content creators recently tipped off tourists about the traghetto gondola – a cheap ferry service used by locals to cross the Grand Canal at points where there are no bridges. Pictured: A narrow canal with gondola and bridge in Venice, Italy
But, residents say the recent promotion of the travel hack by influencers is to blame for the dramatic surge in tourists wanting to use the service.
‘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,’ said the YouTuber Giovanna Santoro.
The Instagrammer ‘Eat with Ange’ said: ‘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.’
It comes as Europe struggles to cope with a recent surge in tourism – with some areas being forced to introduce special measures in an attempt to combat the problem.
Last month Europe’s most famous holiday hotspots were busier than ever -despite anti-tourism protests taking place across the continent.
Images show swarms of holidaymakers packed shoulder-to-shoulder and forming huge queues waiting for trains and buses in some of the most beautiful destinations in Italy and Greece.
In the Italian village of Varenna – famed for its tiny streets and colourful facades of houses – Brits have complained of crowds so dense they were barely able to reach down to take their phones out of their pockets.
Meanwhile, footage from the Greek island of Santorini – adored by influencers for its breathtaking sunsets and views across the Mediterranean- show thousands of people inching along narrow streets with barely enough room to pass each other.
Some areas have introduced special measures in an attempt to crackdown on overcrowding.
Portofino has banned walking barefoot, picnics, and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions.
Tourists risk being fined for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad.
From July 15, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless – or sit in the piazza in such attire.
Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars, and designated areas left to booze in.
Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and parks has also been banned along with having picnics.
The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30.
Anyone who is caught violating the regulations before then will be subject to a fine of between £22 and £433.
The goal of the latest crackdown is to protect the ‘peace and quiet of residents and tourists’ in the exclusive coastal resort which brings in up to 100,000 tourists during peak season – despite the town only having a population of 400.
