The revolt broke out in Florence. In defense of the homeland. The guerrillas strike under cover of darkness. With red adhesive strip. The illegals put it across the boxes where owners of holiday apartments leave the keys to their short-term clients from all over the world. On the warning cross placed on the safety deposit box it says “Salviamo Firenze x viverci”: Let’s save Florence to live in it. Because as more and more tourists flock to Italy’s “City of Art” – from Florence and Rome to Venice and Naples to Cinque Terre and Positano – life there becomes unbearable and, above all, inaccessible for locals.
It is no coincidence that the protest action that is reverberating throughout the country has started right now and from Florence. This year Italy presides over the G7 group of the major Western industrialized countries, and Rome has chosen the Tuscan capital as the venue for the meeting of the G7 tourism ministers from 13 to 15 November. To prepare for the government meeting, representatives of the tourism sector and experts met last week in Florence for the “International Tourism Forum”.
The organizer and godmother of the conference was the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, who is also the presenter of the G7. In her speech at the forum, Santanchè reiterated the government’s tourism strategy: continuous growth and distribution of visitor flows, if possible, throughout the year and across the territory, rather than bans and restrictions in high season and in relevant hot spots . “After the experience of the pandemic, when almost no one visited our country, the derogatory speech of ‘overtourism’ is something akin to blasphemy,” the minister said.
After the pandemic, visitors returned
The year 2023, the first after the pandemic without protective measures, brought a record number of visitors to Italy. According to the statistical institute ISTAT, approximately 134 million arrivals of national and foreign visitors were recorded, for a total of 451 million overnight stays in hotels, guesthouses and – in increasing numbers – in holiday accommodation rented by private individuals. Thanks to spending of 155 billion euros and an added value of 368 billion euros, in 2023 tourism will represent approximately 18% of Italy’s economic power.
The tourism industry expects good results this year too. The slight decline in national tourism, mainly due to the increase in the inflation rate, was more than compensated by the further increase in the number of visitors from abroad. And the Holy Year 2025, proclaimed by the Catholic Church, will not only increase the number of visitors to the Eternal City next year up to 32 million, but will also stimulate tourism throughout the country because many pilgrims, especially those coming from… Abroad – will also visit other cities besides Rome.
-76e529e0=””>Around 15,000 holiday apartments available in Florence
For example Florence. With around 7.4 million visitors every year, the city on the Arno is the fourth most visited city in the country after Rome, Venice and Milan. Since the end of the pandemic in Florence the number of holiday apartments rented through major websites such as Booking or Airbnb has increased significantly again: it amounts to around 15,000, of which 8,000 are located in the “historic centre”. , which has been a world heritage site since 1982.
During their first operation, the “Save Florence” activists managed to cover over 500 key boxes in the “historic center”. “We ask for a ban on further holiday apartments and a reduction in the number of existing ones,” says Massimo Torelli, one of the spokespersons of the movement: “Students and workers are no longer able to find affordable housing. Florence is dying due to unbridled tourism and speculation.” Since 2016, rents in the center of Florence have increased by 42 percent. Mayor Sara Funaro promised measures without providing details. “We believe that the city belongs first and foremost to its citizens,” he says.
Rome is considering charging entry to the Trevi Fountain
Mayors in other countries are also struggling to find answers. In Rome, the restoration of the Trevi Fountain for the Holy Year 2025 was an opportunity to build a walkway over the world-famous work of art. From there visitors have a better view of the sculptures of aquatic creatures around the sea god Oceanus. But they cannot throw coins into the emptied well – under penalty of a 50 euro fine – but only into a small replacement basin full of water. The horseshoe-shaped walkway above the fountain basin, almost 50 meters wide, can only be used in small groups. The hostesses regulate access during opening hours from 9:00 to 21:00. Access is still free, but next year, once the restoration work is finished, an entry fee of up to two euros will be charged. It remains to be seen whether the measure will reduce the four million annual visitors to the world-famous fountain.
In Venice, the imposition of a five-euro entrance fee for day visitors on some early season weekends has not led to the desired reduction or at least equalization of visitor numbers of as many as 15 million per year. The price is expected to double in 2025, but even ten euros will hardly have a deterrent effect.
The archaeological park of Pompeii, near Naples, introduces a fixed maximum limit of visitors. Because this summer alone around four million tourists visited the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD If you have visited the city which sank under a layer of hot ash and only re-emerged centuries later, from 15 November a maximum of 20,000 tickets will be sold per day. An even greater number of people would represent a risk both for the visitors themselves and, above all, for “the unique and fragile heritage” of the excavation, explained the decision of the park management.
There is also a fixed maximum limit for the “Via dell’Amore”, the “Path of Love”, which passes through the picturesque former fishing villages of the Cinque Terre in Liguria. Before the devastating landslide in 2012, around 3.5 million people crowded the narrow path every year. The 900 meter long path above the cliffs took twelve years to repair. From August the path is open again, with prices starting from 12.50 euros per person. Only about a hundred visitors are admitted every quarter of an hour and the opening hours are fixed. At the end of October the trail had to be closed again indefinitely due to another landslide. The number of visitors to the Cinque Terre continued to increase steadily in the years in which the “Via dell’Amore” was closed.
#Heres #Italian #cities #counteract #flow #visitors
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today, where we’ll dive into the turbulent waters of tourism and its impact on local communities in Italy, particularly focusing on Florence. Joining us is Massimo Torelli, a spokesperson for the “Save Florence” movement. Massimo, thank you for being here.
Massimo Torelli: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be able to discuss these vital issues.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. The recent protest actions that have erupted in Florence, including guerrilla tactics like covering key boxes, have grabbed headlines. What prompted this movement, and why is Florence the starting point?
Massimo: The movement was born out of necessity. Florence, known as a “City of Art,” has become increasingly overrun with tourists, which has made life very challenging for local residents. As I mentioned in our campaigns, “Salviamo Firenze x viverci” or “Let’s save Florence to live in it,” embodies our struggle. The increase in short-term rental properties for tourists—currently about 15,000, with many in the historic center—has exacerbated affordable housing shortages for locals.
Editor: You mentioned that rents in the center have risen by 42% since 2016. That’s staggering. How has this surge affected the residents and the fabric of Florence?
Massimo: It’s devastating. Many students and workers can no longer find affordable places to live, which is pushing them out of the city. Florence is dying under the weight of unmanageable tourism and speculation. This isn’t just about the economy; it’s about maintaining a community where locals can afford to live and thrive.
Editor: There’s a broader context here, with Italy seeing a record number of visitors this year—approximately 134 million arrivals. What do you think about the government’s strategy outlined by Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè? She spoke about promoting continuous growth and distributing visitor flows.
Massimo: While I understand the need for economic growth after the pandemic, there has to be a balance. The minister’s comments about banning the term “overtourism” after such restrictions during COVID seem dismissive of the real plight that locals face. Tourism should benefit all, not just a select few property owners. We need strategies that prioritize residents, like a moratorium on new short-term rentals and regulations on existing ones.
Editor: You’ve mentioned specific policies you’d like to see enacted. With a G7 meeting on tourism happening soon in Florence, do you see any potential for meaningful change?
Massimo: I hope so. This is the time for local voices to be heard. If the G7 discussions can lead to frameworks that consider sustainable tourism practices, we might finally see a shift toward protecting local communities. However, actions speak louder than words. We are urging our city leaders to put forth concrete measures immediately.
Editor: In neighboring cities like Rome and Venice, we see some drastic measures being proposed, like charging entry fees to sites like the Trevi Fountain. Do you think these approaches effectively address the challenge of overtourism?
Massimo: Charging entry fees can help manage visitor numbers, but I’m concerned that these fees might not fundamentally change the situation for locals. Addressing housing shortages and providing locals with a voice in tourist management is far more critical. It’s about reshaping how we think about tourism, not just placing a financial barrier at popular destinations.
Editor: What is your vision for the future of Florence, particularly with tourism in mind?
Massimo: My vision is for a Florence where locals and tourists coexist harmoniously. A place where residents can afford to live, work, and enjoy their city without feeling overshadowed by tourism. I envision a city that offers rich experiences for visitors while preserving the cultural integrity and affordability for those who call Florence home.
Editor: Thank you, Massimo, for sharing these insights. Tourism is a delicate balance, and it’s clear that local voices must be included in the conversation for sustainable solutions.
Massimo: Absolutely. Thank you for helping to amplify these important discussions. Together, we can save Florence for future generations.