Italy fights against overtourism: tourism in chaos!

Italy fights against overtourism: tourism in chaos!

Italy faces increasing challenges from the so-calledOvertourismopposite, a phenomenon in which overcrowding in tourist hotspots affects the quality of life of residents and reduces the visitor experience. According to a recent survey by IPSOS, 50% of the Italian population is familiar with the term and 33% see it as a growing problem. This situation has led to increasing concerns about the sustainability of tourism in the country.

The forecasts for 2025 are promising, with travelers expected to spend €185 billion in Italy. International visitors account for 60.4 billion euros of this, an increase of over 5 billion euros compared to 2024. Tourism now contributes to about10.2%of Italy's gross domestic product.

Problem of hotspots

Cities such as Florence, Venice and Rome in particular are massively affected. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanché points out that 75% of tourists are concentrated in just 4% of the national territory. This leads to overcrowded places, higher rental prices, traffic congestion and an increase in garbage. Filippo Celata, professor of economic geography, criticizes Italy's handling of these challenges, especially in comparison to other European countries.

To combat this, Florence has introduced restrictive measures against short-term rentals, but these only apply to new applications. There is currently no overarching national law that would enable municipalities to restrict existing offers. Short-term rentals are banned in the historic center of Rome in order to sustainably combat overtourism.

Financial implications and solutions

City governments often face the challenge of controlling irregularities and tax evasion in the tourism sector. According to Celata, tourism is often viewed as an essential source of income, which hinders the necessary measures to control overtourism. In Venice, for example, the entry price for day visitors increased from 5 to10 eurosincreased to offset the financial burden. In 2023, the city generated 5.4 million euros through entrance fees, which were used to stabilize garbage fees for residents.

Another 60 days of entry fees are planned for 2026, but this is also seen as exacerbating the problem. Italy's mass tourism challenges therefore require both innovative solutions and a rethinking of the perception of tourism as an economic hub.

If you want to learn more about the impact of mass tourism on Italy, visit ZDF today and Euronews.