Tourists Overwhelm Italian Coastal Towns, And Locals Are Over It
Italy’s Amalfi Coast is beloved as a treasure trove of colorful seaside villages and dazzling views. Residents, however, say the crowds visiting those picturesque towns are making everyday life increasingly difficult.
Videos shared in early May showed tourists packed shoulder to shoulder in the narrow streets of Positano. Similarly, nearby Amalfi also experienced long lines of visitors waiting to board ferries.
Some residents complained that the congestion had become so severe they preferred to remain inside their homes rather than attempt to navigate the crowded streets. While the summer months are clearly the busiest, many tourists have embraced the shoulder seasons in Fall and Spring, leaving the locals with little rest from the chaos.
The scenes captured in May brought renewed attention to a problem that has troubled the Amalfi Coast for years. Speaking with The Telegraph, hotel owner and former local mayor Salvatore Gagliano described growing frustration with the crowds, particularly tourists who spend only a few hours visiting the region.
Crowded Streets Leave Residents Frustrated
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Gagliano was particularly critical of day-trippers, known locally as mordi e fuggi, or “eat-and-run” tourists, who visit briefly and spend relatively little money in the area. He told The Telegraph that the crowds were creating chaos along the Amalfi Coast’s narrow roads, with some of his hotel guests reluctant to venture out because of the congestion.
Gagliano, who owns the Grand Hotel Tritone in Praiano, went on to tell The Telegraph that the congestion was also affecting his business. Some guests paying for luxury accommodations were reluctant to leave the hotel because of the crowds outside.
Local resident Antonio Attianese expressed similar frustration with the situation, saying the congestion had been worsening for years. As reported by the New York Post, he criticized local administrators for failing to take stronger action.
Online reactions echoed those sentiments. One resident complained that people were effectively having to remain at home, while visitors questioned why large tour groups were allowed to fill already crowded walkways.
Gagliano has also called for limits on cruise passengers coming ashore, raising questions about the role cruise tourism plays in the overcrowding.
“We can’t handle so many people,” said Gagliano. “The beauty of the Amalfi Coast is being ruined.”
Local Authorities Face Pressure to Manage Tourism
Amalfi Mayor Daniele Milano acknowledged the complaints in May, saying residents and business owners had legitimate concerns about congestion.
According to The Telegraph, Milano said local authorities lacked the power to simply stop cruise passengers from disembarking. He called for additional regulations to help destinations facing especially heavy tourism.
The city had already introduced seasonal traffic measures. In a March 30 notice, the City of Amalfi established pedestrian-only periods in parts of its historic center between April 1 and Oct. 31, restricting vehicle access during designated times.
Those measures address vehicle traffic rather than placing a cap on the number of people visiting. The distinction matters in towns where pedestrian congestion is itself one of the main complaints.
With tourism playing such a significant role in the local economy, limiting visitor numbers is no simple matter. Local leaders face the difficult task of managing the crowds while keeping the region accessible to travelers.
