The term “overtourism” is often used to describe the frustration of locals overwhelmed by large numbers of tourists, but it oversimplifies the issue. The true problem lies not in the volume of visitors, but in the management and organization of tourism. Politicians use the term to create urgency without addressing underlying issues, such as poor planning, lack of infrastructure and unregulated activities. This reduces the problem to a binary issue—too many tourists—when the situation is more complex and requires targeted solutions.
In Florence, the real issue is “disorganized tourism” marked by uncontrolled tourist flows, unauthorized tours and activities that lack proper oversight. Many of these tours operate without regulation, putting pressure on public services and diminishing both the quality of the tourist experience and the local community’s quality of life. Local authorities, often ill equipped to manage informal tours, have struggled to enforce regulations, exacerbating the problem.
Years ago, Fiavet Toscana proposed banning “free tours” in Florence, citing their chaotic nature and unsustainable impact. However, the local government did not act on this recommendation, allowing such activities to continue, which not only leads to logistical challenges but also deprives the city of revenue from more regulated tourism operations. While politicians may use “overtourism” as a talking point to address overcrowding in Florence, their lack of concrete action undermines their credibility.
The rise of short-term rentals, such as those offered through Airbnb, has further intensified the issue. These rentals have displaced local residents and increased the cost of living in key neighborhoods, making it harder to regulate the housing market. Legal challenges related to regulating these rentals reflect the difficulties in implementing lasting change.
At a recent tourism forum, industry experts emphasized the need for practical actions beyond the theoretical concepts of destagionalizzazione (spreading tourism throughout the year) and delocalizzazione (distributing tourists to less-visited areas). While these concepts are often discussed, they have not been effectively implemented. The focus should now be on tangible projects that diversify the tourist experience, spreading tourists across both time and geography.
A recent legal victory for travel agencies came from Italy’s Supreme Court (Cassazione), which ruled that tour operators can now use their own vehicles to transport clients, eliminating the need to rely on taxis or private drivers (NCC). This change is especially significant for smaller agencies, as it provides greater flexibility and reduces reliance on expensive third-party services. This ruling can improve the tourist experience, streamline travel logistics and support local businesses.
This new ruling also enables travel agencies to explore Tuscany’s lesser-known borghi, or small villages, which are often overlooked in favor of more popular destinations. By focusing on these less-visited areas, tourism can be spread more evenly across the region, benefiting smaller towns and easing pressure on Florence. This type of delocalizzazione could contribute to sustainable tourism development, benefiting both tourists and local communities, while reducing congestion in Florence.
In conclusion, the real challenge in Florence is not simply the issue of “overtourism”, but the disorganization in how tourism is regulated and distributed. The city should focus on better regulation, local economic integration and the development of diversified itineraries to balance the needs of residents, tourists and the local economy. Through concrete actions and investments, Florence can manage its tourism more effectively, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are more widely distributed across the region.
Fiavet, the Association of Travel Agents intends to delve deeper into each of these issues with a series of articles, exploring their impact and discussing actionable solutions. Together, we can ensure that Florence remains a jewel of global heritage, a city where history and modernity coexist harmoniously.
