UK tourists in Italy warned country 'can't cope' and government told 'intervene'

There is widespread fury in a pretty Italian seaside village after a Netflix show sparked a huge wave of tourists. Atani is where filming has taken place for the drama Ripley starring Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning, which is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 book The Talented Mr Ripley.

But Airbnb has reported a 93 per cent increase in bookings in Ravello, a location 15 minutes from Atrani, and nearby Minori has also seen a 62 per cent spike amid the series' success. Amanda Cupples, general manager for Airbnb UK and Northern Europe, said in a statement that people had been inspired to visit by the "visually spectacular" Ripley series.

She said: "It's no surprise that a show as visually spectacular as 'Ripley' is inspiring viewers to explore the Amalfi Coast for their next getaway. As it spotlights a lesser-known Italian city of Atrani, this is showing travellers that they can avoid the crowds, while simultaneously quenching their 'Ripley' wanderlust."

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But one local told the Guardian newspaper: "This coast is saturated with overtourism. If more visitors come because of the series, I sincerely hope they come in low season.” A second said: “If tourism does grow, the risk is that it’s not managed intelligently.

"Our village can’t cope with huge numbers of tourists. Cars, buses and motorbikes leave the traffic paralysed. The authorities need to keep a decent amount of places open longer so some visits can be channelled to other times of year, and must also encourage use of waterborne transport, and offer more frequent services on smaller buses.”

Adam McCulloch visited last October, taking a bus to Positano – “the beach was rammed” – then a ferry to Amalfi. “We left the crowds behind and walked to Atrani over hills via Torre dello Ziro. Up there, you see no one. After steep steps down to the village, we had a swim, and a drink at Bar Nettuno, then walked the coast road back to Amalfi.”