In 2011, the city of Livorno welcomed 30 percent more
tourists than the previous year. The rise is credited to an increase in
cruise-ship traffic, as noted in a recent report released by the City.
Moreover,
some 68 percent of the nearly one million passengers who travelled to Livorno
via 500 cruise ships last year did not visit the region’s ‘art cities.’
Because most
of the tourists coming through on cruises sleep on board the ships, Livorno
hotels hosted just under 287,000 visitors. ‘Important data are encouraging
because they allow a glimpse of the possible action of development for the
city,’ said local superintendent of tourism Paola Bernardo, ‘It is necessary to
continue to “make a system” to exploit the full potential of the area.’
Among the
city’s most-visited spots is the Quartiere Venezia, with the boat tour along
the Fossi Medicei among the most popular attractions. In addition, the most
popular event in the city was Effetto Venezia, in its 26th edition last year,
which attracted some 190,000 visitors, city officials said.