Overtourism never gives Italy a break 🙈

I was there three weeks ago. My fourth time. First time 20 years ago in March I walked right into the pantheon, sat mostly alone at Trevi, waked straight into St. Peter’s went to the top…now Rome is insane. Limiting those massive tour groups would help.

I really don’t understand what our strategy is here except make all the money you can for vendors

Indeed

I remember Venezia, Firenze & Roma 20 years ago. Mid summer there were no mass crowds and I could wander freely down any street. I remember standing at the Trevvi fountain alone at 7am. A real shame

The whole year round.

When is this? Are there more tourists end of November?

This is now

Yeah, sorry about that. But it’s the cost of having what’s probably the most beautiful and inspiring place on earth.

In Florence’s quartiere 1 the population of residents has dropped by 25% in the last five years. We were 13 tourists per resident a few years ago… It’s very sad, and not done yet.

You can't afford to lose it. Tourism plays a vital role in Italy's economy, contributing both directly (through spending on accommodations, food, transport, and attractions) and indirectly (through supply chains, induced employment, and investments). According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the sector accounted for 10.5% of Italy's GDP in 2023, totaling €215 billion. This figure nearly matches pre-pandemic levels from 2019 and is projected to rise to 11% (€223.1 billion) in 2024.Other sources provide slightly varying estimates depending on methodology:Italy's National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) and related analyses peg the share at around 13% for 2023–2024, incorporating broader economic multipliers. The Bank of Italy estimates a direct contribution of over 5%, with the total (including indirect effects) reaching 13%.

That’s the pathway between the pantheon and the trevi fountain. Probably the most tourist heavy 200 meters in the whole city.

Noooo! I always grumble under my breath at tourists in Rome even though I'm technically a tourist myself. I've been so many times though that I don't feel like one

That path towards the Trevi Fountain is no joke 😂

Not just Rome... Here #BoroughMarket in #London March 2024. #overtourism

Is it because it's a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, or is it usually like this?

Italy can stop over tourism, but doesn't. It's not the tourists fault.

I think I just saw a pic pocket! 🤣👊🏼

Lol

🤣

This destroys local culture. It's horrible. Everything becomes an empty shell of what it used to be. :(

Here I thought choosing to travel in December would benefit both me and the overtourism!

Ah, that’s probably why the hotel prices were so high.

It’s a pickpocket paradise!

How much longer before the Vatican's Jubilee officially concludes?

I'm fortunate to have lived in Italy 45 years ago. There were no crowds. It was so open, I was able to throw Frisbee in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence. The only crowds were the locals gathered around the perimeter amazed at the crazy Americans throwing around this disk. Now you can barely walk through it.

Establish an Italy tourist entrance fee (trains, boats, planes) of about $250 per. Then use proceeds for infrastructure

When going to Italy, everyone needs to go to Venice and Florence Only. Nothing more to see. Leave your money & go home. Per favore.

It could be worse. 👳🏾‍♂️🔪 👳🏾‍♂️🔪 👳🏾‍♂️🔪

I mean all roads leads to Rome so what did you expect??

Been to Italy several times, but my favorite trip was the 3 months I spent there immediately after the COVID travel restrictions were lifted in 2021. Traveled all over the country and practically had the cities - large and small - all to myself. A once in a lifetime opportunity!

This looks like it might be one of the paths to Trevi Fountain. It really is almost always like this. Kinda overwhelming, but the fountain is worth it.

I am waiting until Georgia gets rid of more immigrants.

Trastevere is overrated, huge tourist trap...

Idk i just got back from Sicily...off season no tourists. Maybe a few European tourists in Palermo but zero obnoxious Americans. Would never go near Rome or Venice

True story!

Jubilee Year plus a new pope.

Rome is probably my favorite city in the world. But each time I go it is more crowded than the last. It was so crowded my last visit in May it was unbelievable.

Is it still like that in November? I was planning to go after the summer crowds left, but it looks like I'll have to wait until January.