UK tourists in three Italian cities warned holidays will be 'sabotaged'

UK tourists who are visiting three major cities in Italy face their holidays being "sabotaged", it has been warned. British holidaymakers have been warned over European Union holiday hotspots being left furious over perceived "overtourism" from UK visitors.

Anti-Airbnb protests have erupted in Milan and Florence. The anger in the two cities, situated in the north of the country and in Tuscany respectively, come as locals take aim at holiday rental properties, vandalising key boxes and placing protest stickers across the city.

The campaign group Chiediamo Casa led the latest wave of demonstrations over the weekend. Protesters affixed stickers declaring "Less short lets, more houses for all" to properties throughout Milan, whilst promoting their slogan "This city is not a hotel" on social media.

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The anger in Milan and Florence mirrors that of Venice, which has introduced tourist taxes on UK tourists and day-trippers. The latest protest by group Chiediamo Casa saw locals affix stickers reading 'Less short lets, more houses for all' to key safes - which allow tourists access to their rented accommodation - outside Airbnbs on the weekend.

"Let's limit tourist rentals, let's protest those who want to expel us from the city with unsustainable rents for inaccessible houses," they said, adding: "We want a city for all and the right to live in dignified housing." In Florence, where nearly a third of the city's flats are listed on Airbnb, protesters used stickers with the slogan 'Let's save Florence so we can live in it' last weekend.

Activists calling themselves 'Robin Hood' have pulled off several safes from properties in Rome, denying travellers access to their holiday lets. It comes after demonstrators clashed with police in Venice in April over a new 'tourist tax' imposition, requiring short stay visitors to pay an 'entrance fee' of €5.

"We really wish tourists well but want them to stay in hotels," explained campaigner Giacomo Negri to The Times.