Florence’s new mayor has voiced concerns that residents are being “expelled” from the city due to an influx of AirBnb rentals. Sara Funaro has suggested that key safes used by flat owners for their rental properties could be banned under new proposals, requiring owners to meet tenants in person.
Ms Funaro’s plans emerge as statistics show a dramatic increase in central Florence flats listed on AirBnb, rising from 1,500 in 2018 to 9,000 in 2024. This surge is feared to be driving locals out as housing becomes unaffordable for many.
Speaking to the Times, Ms Funaro said: “People are being expelled from the city. Because of short-term rentals, students and even people on medium wages cannot find anywhere to live in Florence.”
The issue of overtourism isn’t unique to Florence; other European cities like Venice and Barcelona are also grappling with the challenge of balancing tourism with local life.
In addition to policy changes, there’s a ‘Save Florence’ campaign aimed at highlighting the city’s struggles. The campaign’s leader, IT engineer Massimo Torelli, commented on the deserted nature of one street: “Seems pretty quiet here today, but that’s because the last resident moved out recently. There’s no one left on this street, just tourists.”, reports the Express.
Florence’s recent step towards banning key boxes furthers its effort to clamp down on short-term private lets in the city centre while voicing the need for tougher tourist controls to benefit locals.
As reported by Irish News, Italy’s Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche has recognised that several cities are grappling with overtourism and stressed the importance of developing their tourism sustainably.
The debate over overtourism’s effects on local communities is nothing new in 2024. It’s riled up regions like Spain, Italy, and France, stirring concern and action.
Even far-flung Tenerife in the Canary Islands feels the strain, with inhabitants pushing back against the influx of British holidaymakers.
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Despite local resistance and the call to heed their concerns, Tenerife’s booking numbers soared by 77% within the first nine months of 2025. Travel Gossip got the chance to speak with Dimple Melwani, CEO of the Tenerife Tourism Corporation, who condemned the efforts of some protest factions.
Dimplae said: “We do not support the radical actions of some minority groups who reject visitors, as tourists are not the cause of the problems. The Canary Islands do not suffer from tourist overcrowding like other Mediterranean destinations.”
Even as Tenerife basks in a tourism boom, those landing on the island come the new year may clock a subtle shift as authorities strive to strike a balance between preserving peace with residents and accommodating travellers.
Starting in 2025, Tenerife’s Cabildo President Rosa Davila has proclaimed that tourist buses will be prohibited as an initiative to decrease the influx of vehicles into Anaga’s safeguarded ecosystem.
President Davila declared that this new prohibition one element of a broader plan including 70 measures is anticipated to yield beneficial environmental outcomes and contribute to a more logical transportation system on the island, in a move towards “sustainable mobility”.
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