A much loved tourist destination on the continent is set to become the latest to limit the size and number of cruise ships that can enter its port.

Starting July 1, the maximum number of passengers per ship is set to be reduced to 2,500 passengers in Villefranche-sur-Mer, located in the popular town of the French Riviera, and only ships with less than 450 passengers will allowed to dock in the port of Nice.

Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, Estrosi recently revised his stance on the ban that initially restricted cruise ships with more than 900 passengers, raising the limit to 2,500. Despite him going back on the ban, the financial losses from these restrictions are expected to be considerable.

According to a recent report by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Villefranche-sur-Mer is expected to lose £6.3 million while Nice would see a deficit of about £545,280 this year. In 2026, the impact is expected to deepen. 

Villefranche-sur-Mer could face a revenue loss of £11.8 million, excluding additional losses linked to local economic activity. 

This represents a 75% drop in the number of holidaymakers.

For Nice, the shortfall is projected to reach £847,8 in 2026, due to a 24% decline in cruise ship visitors.

In a recent statement, the Metropolis of Nice stated that the report fails to consider a recent study by ATMOSUD, the air quality monitoring organisation.

The study found that maritime traffic accounts for 3% of problematic NOx emissions (nitrogen oxides), which are harmful to human health and in Villefranche, this figure rises to 71%.

The study revealed a 25% increase in this pollution from 2015 to 2023.

Christian Estrosi, president of the Metropolis, argues that this environmental concern outweighs the economic gains, which he believes are minimal for sectors like hospitality and stressed that cruise tourism represents only 4% of annual tourist traffic, making it a "marginal" contributor, Nice Presse reported.