Florence is to ban the key boxes that have become a hated symbol of the burgeoning short-term rental market in its historic centre, firing the latest salvo in the battle against mass tourism in Europe. The metal boxes, from which tourists retrieve the keys to short-term let properties as part of a self-check-in process, have become a much-loathed symbol of the rising number of apartments available for rent on platforms such as Airbnb. Critics say they are denying locals affordable housing and emptying historic city centres of residents.
Florence city council said that from next year, the boxes will be banned in the Unesco-recognised historic centre “for reasons of decorum and safety”. Sara Funaro, the city’s new mayor, said she wanted to promote “a more sustainable model of tourism, manage tourist numbers and improve the quality of life for residents”. She added: “You just have to walk through the city centre and you will see how many key boxes there are on historic palazzi.
” It is one measure in a new ten-point plan for sustainable tourism that also targets loudspeakers used by tourist guides, “atypical vehicles” like golf carts, and promises awareness campaigns for respecting Florence as a “living and unique city”. There is growing opposition to the explosion in the number of short-term lets in cities across Italy, from Florence and Venice to Rome and Bologna. In Florence, there are now 12,000 listings on Airbnb alone.
Campaigners have embarked on a gu.