Since 1987, Venice and its Lagoon is an UNESCO World Heritage site. However, from 2014 it risks to be included in the "World Heritage in Danger" list due to the complexity in the governance and protection of the heritage.
Nowadays, the city is approaching its breaking point caused by many factors related to the bad effects of tourism. This paper focuses on the effects caused by the cruise industry in consideration of an increasing issue particularly felt by the inhabitants and ever more analyzed by the scientific community.
Firstly, this paper analyzes the impact caused by the cruise tourism and its relation with the UNESCO site. Secondly, two kind of possible risks for the area (immaterial and material) are identified. Finally, this research mainly contributes to identify the scheme of the stakeholders in order to develop a future governance network necessary to establish actions to improve the actual situation.