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As millions of tourists flood Italy’s historic cities, Florence is stepping up efforts to manage the pressures of overtourism. With concerns mounting that the high visitor volume threatens the city’s cultural heritage and livability, Florence’s authorities have approved a 10-point plan aimed at preserving the character of the city’s iconic center.
Among the new measures, Florence will ban the use of lockboxes in the city center, a common feature of short-term rental check-ins. These lockboxes, which have become eyesores and targets for vandals, will no longer be permitted, making it more difficult for rental property owners to facilitate self-check-ins in Florence's most historic areas. In addition, loudspeakers and amplifiers used by tour guides are set to be banned to reduce noise pollution and enhance the city’s peaceful charm.
The city’s mayor, Sarah Funaro, who introduced the new plan ahead of a meeting of G7 tourism ministers, says the measures aim to preserve Florence as a “vibrant and unique city” for both residents and visitors. With 7.8 million tourists recorded in the first nine months of 2024 alone, Florence is feeling the strain of mass tourism, with city officials noting that a five-square-kilometer historic zone is struggling to handle the crowds.
In an effort to reduce congestion, Florence will also restrict the use of vehicles like golf carts, which are increasingly used by tour guides to shuttle groups through narrow, historic streets. These vehicles will now be limited to certain areas where car traffic is already controlled.
Florence’s new plan follows similar efforts across Italy to address overtourism. Last week, the site of Pompeii announced a daily visitor cap, and Venice recently introduced plans to impose an entry fee during peak tourist seasons starting in 2025. Meanwhile, Rome is preparing to set new rules for visitors to the Trevi Fountain once renovation work is completed this December.
As the G7 tourism ministers gather in Florence, the city council hopes to set an example for sustainable tourism that honors Florence’s rich cultural heritage while maintaining a high quality of life for its residents.
Source: CNN
