Florence bans key boxes and tour guide loudspeakers to tackle overtourism

The historic Italian city of Florence is taking steps to cut over-tourism, 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.

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.

The city authorities have 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.

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 - CNN