Italian city Florence bans key boxes and tour guide loudspeakers to tackle overtourism phantom extension


The historic Italian city of Florence is taking steps to cut overtourism, introducing measures including a ban on key boxes used by short-term rental landlords and tour guide loudspeakers, amid complaints that a surge in visitors has become unsustainable.

With stunning Renaissance art and architecture, Florence, in Tuscany, has long been popular with travelers. But, like many other places in Italy and elsewhere, it has seen a drastic increase in tourists in recent years, leading to a backlash from residents priced out of their homes.

This week, as the city prepares to host tourism ministers from the G7 group of the world’s most advanced economies, authorities approved a 10-point plan to tackle the problem, introduced by mayor Sarah Funaro.

In the firing line are the key boxes — combination-protected lock boxes used by short-let landlords to facilitate easy check-ins for guests — which will be restricted in the city’s UNESCO-listed center, known for masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto and Brunelleschi.

Lately, these boxes have been targeted for vandalism, with frustrated locals taping them closed with red Xs.

Limits are to be placed on “atypical vehicles” like golf carts which have become increasingly popular for tour guides to take visitors around the city in areas where car traffic is restricted. The decree also bans the use of amplifiers and loudspeakers for tour guides.