The city of Florence plans to ban key boxes used for self-check-in to short-term rentals in its historic center, aiming to combat the negative impacts of mass tourism and improve local living conditions.
City officials, led by Mayor Sara Funaro, identified the growing number of short-term rentals as detrimental to the social fabric of Florence, contributing to a rise in housing unaffordability for locals.
Activists have responded with protests, marking key boxes with red tape and slogans emphasizing the need to preserve Florence for its residents rather than tourists, as the city grapples with over 12,000 Airbnb listings.
The proposed ban is part of a broader ten-point sustainable tourism plan, which also includes measures for managing tourist noise and promoting awareness of Florence as a living city, echoing similar challenges in other Italian cities facing overtourism.
