Locals block tourist boats in Venice.

Fearing that tourist overcrowding would negatively impact local life, Italians took to the streets, traveling in small boats, blowing horns, and throwing colored fireworks to block tourist ships.

The Telegraph reported that recently, Italian citizens, traveling in small boats, blew horns and threw colored fireworks to block the passage of tourist boats. The protesters also held up signs reading "No big ships allowed" as a tourist boat carrying passengers was navigating the Giudecca Canal, preparing to dock.

The protests stemmed from local residents' concerns about the environmental damage caused to the culture and way of life in Venice by the increasing number of cruise ships.

This isn't the first time Venetian residents have blocked cruise ships from docking. In 2013, people donned wetsuits and swam in the world-famous Giudecca Canal to stop cruise ships. Photo: Alamy.

Each year, around 22 million tourists visit Venice, often impacting the lives of locals, including causing traffic congestion. Tourists are also criticized for inappropriate behavior such as pushing and shoving to board boats while carrying bulky backpacks, or wearing bikinis or shorts in public. In August, a group of protesters plastered signs on city walls reading: "Tourists get out, you are ruining this city."

However, the tourism companies argue that the damage they cause to the boats is insignificant compared to the benefits it brings to the 5,000 households in the area.

In 2013, Italy enacted a law prohibiting ships over 96,000 tons from passing through the Giudecca Canal. The number of smaller ships allowed into the canal was also limited to five per day. However, this law was repealed at the end of 2015.

According to VNE