As Florence prepares to host the G7 tourism ministers, the city has taken a series of steps against overtourism, now an added concern for residents and officials.

Florence Mayor Sarah Funaro last week presented her town hall with a 10-point plan to address local frustrations while protecting the city's heritage, a UNESCO listing. Among the new restrictions are a ban on key boxes used by short-term rental operators and limitations on loudspeakers frequently used by tour guides.

Why ban key boxes and loudspeakers?

Another point of contention that the residents of Florence's historic centre have not missed is the key boxes, usually attached by short-term rental hosts to the exteriors of the walls. 

Reports state that some locals even taped the boxes shut as a way of protest. Limiting loudspeakers has also been incorporated into new regulations as noisy tour groups disturb people.

The new decree also includes "atypical vehicles" such as golf carts, that have increasingly been used by tour guides to navigate through narrow streets where cars are banned in Florence. This rule is meant to reduce overcrowding and preserve the pedestrian nature of the city.

Florence faces a "massive presence" of tourists

The city council of Florence described in stark terms lately the scale of tourism in its statement; it pointed out that more than 7.8 million people have visited so far in 2024. Since there are only five square kilometers full of densely packed attractions, such a flow puts intense pressure on the infrastructure and livability of Florence. The council emphasized that the current tourist volume is “no longer able to support” the city without undermining its cultural heritage and quality of life.

The incidents involving tourists have only heightened tensions between the locals and visitors. As recently reported, a tourist was filmed doing inappropriate things with a Bacchus statue.

Earlier this year, the head of Galleria dell'Accademia Cecilie Hollberg was drawn into controversy when she claimed that Florence as a“prostitute” because it depends on tourism. She said that it is now impossible to restore Florence to its former self.

Florence is not alone in grappling with the pressures of overtourism. The ancient site of Pompeii recently capped its daily visits at 20,000 and created customised ticketing. Venice says it will begin charging tourists a fee for entering the city in 2025, and Rome will soon mandate more restricted access policies around the Trevi Fountain, which is scheduled to be redeveloped later this year.

As Florence sets new limits around the visitor, it hopes to find a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving its cultural-historic legacy ensuring it remains a vibrant, livable city for those who call it home.