Comments on: Credit crunch affects tourist experience in Venice

By: Darren Cronian

Darren Cronian — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:09:42 +0000

@ Roni

Thanks for leaving your experiences of Venice – sad to hear about the billboards and how quiet / expensive it is.

By: Roni

Roni — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:17:26 +0000

We have just returned from our 3rd visit to Venice, I stumbled across this site because I was looking to see how the credit crunch was affecting Venice as we could not believe how quiet it was compared to the last two stays. From a visitors perspective it was nice to have fewer tourists about, but the prices of everything have increased beyond control. I too was very disappointed about the advertising bill boards, particularly the one round the Bridge of Sighs.

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By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:23:17 +0000

I seem to remember there being a big fuss in Milan as well because they were (and maybe still are?) restoring the Duomo and have ads along the side. H&M wanted to put an ad with Madonna up and the locals protested so much, I believe they weren’t allowed to. I think there were even rumors that restorations were being delayed at the “encouragement” of some so that the advertising could stay up longer. I remember years ago when these canvases were covered with replications of what the building underneath looked like, which seems a much more sensitive way to use the space. Times are changing I suppose!

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By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:07:02 +0000

I agree that it’s undesirable but it’s actually got nothing to do with the credit crunch. It’s been in the pipeline for years – I know this because in my other life, I write about media and advertising.

It’s only meant to be a temporary measure while they fix the buildings as a means of funding it – the alternative would be plain construction hoardings. Let’s hope they honour that.

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By: Darren Cronian

Darren Cronian — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:39:41 +0000

@ Carol

No problem, hope you feel better now you have that off your chest! I’d love to go to Venice, but like you I would be bitterly disappointed with all of the ads. Some places are just way too commercial.

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