« Go back Florence Unveils Sustainable Tourism Plan to Combat Overtourism and Preserve Heritage
Florence is introducing measures to combat overtourism with a new sustainable tourism plan, which it unveiled at the G7 Tourism event.
The plan, consisting of ten points, aims to reduce the impact of mass tourism and preserve the historic center of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
One of the key measures is the ban on the use of keyboxes (small boxes for leaving keys) on the facades of historic buildings within the UNESCO area. This provision, which will take effect in 2025, has been introduced to protect the aesthetic integrity of the city center, where keyboxes have become increasingly widespread.
The measure will require changes to the UNESCO regulations, involving the Tuscany Region and the Superintendence.
Another restriction concerns atypical vehicles, such as golf cars, which often clog central streets and contribute to noise pollution. These vehicles will be subject to restrictions to improve livability in the most tourist-heavy areas. Additionally, tour guides will no longer be allowed to use amplifiers or loudspeakers in the historic center to reduce disturbances to residents and other visitors.
The plan also includes the adoption of common criteria for displaying national identification codes on short-term rental properties, in agreement with the Superintendence.
Other measures include enhanced controls through digital tools, such as artificial intelligence, and awareness campaigns promoting responsible tourism in collaboration with online travel agencies (OTAs). Finally, a tourism dashboard will be created to monitor visitor flows and ensure sustainable tourism management in Florence.
18 November 2024