Alarm in paradise: Farmers in South Tyrol defend themselves against tourist masses!

Alarm in paradise: Farmers in South Tyrol defend themselves against tourist masses!

Seceda, Südtirol, Italien - In South Tyrol, concern about mass tourism increases. The farmers raise the alarm and demand measures to cope with the negative effects on their businesses and nature. The farmers' assistant, Daniel Gasser, expresses that the measure is "full" in certain areas. This statement reflects the increasing tensions between the needs of tourists and the requirements of the local population.

A recent example of the protest of farmers is an action on the Seceda: A farmer has set up a symbolic turnstile with a number machine to request hikers to pay five euros. This measure is a reaction to the problems that mass tourism brings, including garbage, fire and disrespectful behavior from tourists. Mayor Christoph Senoner has now confirmed that the hub was built without the necessary approval and has involved the police to clarify the situation.

overcrowded hiking destinations and record numbers

The numbers prove the extent of the problem: on peak days, up to 4000 tourists run to the Seceda-Alm, and the three battlements record over 13,000 visitors. South Tyrol can look back on a record year 2024, with 37.1 million overnight stays and 8.7 million arrivals, which corresponds to an increase of 2.6% and 3.3% compared to the previous year. August 2024 in particular was a maximum of over six million overnight stays.

Popular Instagram hotspots attract particularly large crowds, while other, quieter areas remain empty. This inequality leads to an increased feeling of repression among local farmers who ask for a balance between tourism and agriculture.

suggestions to fix the problem

The farmers urgently demand solutions and compensation for the different interests between tourists and the local population. Suggestions to improve the situation include measures to raise awareness of holidaymakers and the idea of introducing Dolomite patrols that should pay attention to compliance with rules and behaviors. Despite the protest actions, however, it is clear that the high number of visitors on the hiking trails continue and the challenges will remain.

More about the protest actions and mass tourism in the Dolomites can be found at Merkur and SPIEGEL .