Florence, the stunning capital of Italy's Tuscany region, which attracts millions of tourists each year, is taking drastic steps to tackle overtourism. The city's Mayor, Sara Funaro, and her cabinet have approved a 10-point plan that includes banning certain items from the city's historic centre, according to an announcement from City Hall. This includes a ban on key boxes on buildings and the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.
These small boxes with digital pads, used by owners of short-term rental apartments like Airbnb to leave keys for guests, have become a symbol of local resentment towards tourists. Despite the pandemic, the number of visitors to the city has bounced back impressively, as reported by Irish News. This move coincides with Italy hosting the G7 tourism ministers in the Renaissance city, aiming to enhance its reputation as a top tourist destination.
Recently, locals protested by placing red 'X's over the keyboxes, expressing their frustration at how the stunning city centre, with its iconic palazzi and narrow streets, has been transformed into a hub of short-term holiday rentals, displacing residents and long-standing businesses. According to ISTAT, the national statistics bureau, Italy saw its highest visitor numbers in 2023, with 134 million arrivals and 451 million people staying in hotels or other registered accommodations. The latest figures are in and they're official: a staggering 17 percent more tourists are opting for non-hotel accommodation compar.
