Amalfi launches “visitor etiquette”: this is how the pearl of the coast fights overtourism

Amalfione of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy, is facing the challenge ofovertourism through an innovative initiative led by mayor Daniele Milano. With the aim of promote sustainable tourism and improve coexistence between residents and visitors, the administration has launched a series of strategic actions, including the launch of a “tourist etiquette”.

This project aims to raise visitor awareness of the behaviors most appreciated by residents, avoiding the adoption of restrictive bans. The mayor underlined that the city has already activated a Destination Management Organization (DMO) for a year monitor tourist flows and manage the influx of visitors, especially in the historic center.

This monitoring system is essential to guarantee the safety and well-being of the community, allowing civil protection to intervene if necessary. The terminal of the Cassone piera crucial entry point for almost a million passengers each year, will be one of the focal aspects of the new measures.

There are almost more beds for tourists than residents

The increase in tourists has led to significant changes in the demographic structure of Amalfi. Currently there are approx 4,500 beds available for touristswhile the number of residents has decreased from 5,530 in 2002 to 4,653. This imbalance has pushed the administration to look for a way to ensure that residents’ rights and needs are respected, while preserving the economic potential of tourism.

Milan has proposed giving greater powers to Municipalities to manage the relationship between the resident population and the tourism industry, suggesting that Municipalities should have the power to set limits based on a ratio of residents to tourist beds. This approach aims to avoid conflicts between the interests of residents and those of the tourism sectorcreating a healthier and more sustainable balance.

The tourist etiquette initiative, in particular, represents an attempt to transform visitors into aware and respectful guests. Through one social media campaignthe administration intends to educate tourists on how to behave appropriately and respectfully, underlining that Amalfi is not just a tourist destination, but a living community with its own culture and traditions. With these actions, Amalfi aims to establish a tourism management model that can also be adopted by other similar locations, trying to proactively address the challenges of mass tourism.