New rules for UK tourists as Italy announces '10-point plan' to fight over-tourism

One of Italy's most popular cities is taking new steps to manage tourism as tensions grow between residents and visitors. Florence is home to some of Italy's most famous historical sites, but its growing number of tourists have raised concerns for the protection of the city's culture.

Mayor of Florence Sara Funaro has announced a 10-point plan to address issues in the city's UNESCO-listed centre. New rules include banning key boxes at short-term rental and prohibiting tour guides from using loudspeakers.

The use of key boxes has become a bugbear of locals, who blame tourist lets for pushing residents out of the city. Protesters have marked boxes with a red X to illustrate their frustration.

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The authority has also imposed restrictions on the use of golf carts by tour operators in crowded pedestrian areas. Officials said the plan is designed to preserve Florence as a 'living and unique city' for residents and visitors alike.

In the first nine months of 2024, Florence welcomed 7.8 million visitors, which critics say has put pressure on local infrastructure, contributed to housing shortages and heightened tensions between residents and tourists. The city has also seen a sharp rise in holiday rentals.

Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè, acknowledged the issues faced in popular holiday destinations, but said 'over-tourism' was down to poor management rather than the number of visitors.

Florence is the latest city in Italy to take action to tackle the effects of tourism. Venice introduced a day tripper fee in April and plans to bring it back next year, while Rome is considering introducing a ticket system at its busy Trevi Fountain to help control crowds.