Dolomites Charge Visitors for Scenic Spots Amid Social Media Frenzy.

Farmers in Italy's Dolomites are charging visitors €5 to access certain scenic spots due to overcrowding and damage to private property. The move is driven by social media trends, with local landowners citing littering and trespassing as reasons for the charges. Italian law guarantees free access to natural parks, but authorities have not intervened. The landowners plan to continue with the system.

In a move to address overcrowding and damage to private property, farmers in Italy's Dolomites have begun charging visitors €5 to access certain scenic spots. This initiative is a response to the surge in tourists, driven by social media trends and the popularity of travel influencers. The local landowners, citing issues such as littering and trespassing, have installed turnstiles at several "Instagrammable" points, with queues of up to 4,000 visitors daily being reported [1].

Italian law guarantees free access to natural parks, including the Alps and Dolomites. However, the landowners' actions are seen as a protest against the environmental impact of the influx of tourists. Carlo Zanella, president of the Alto Adige Alpine Club, attributes the surge in visitors to travel influencers, who have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to the mountain range [1].

The charges are intended to manage the crowds and discourage trespassing. Georg Rabanser, a former national team snowboarder who owns land in Seceda, explained that the system is a cry for help due to the constant littering and damage to private property [1]. Despite the legal framework ensuring free access, authorities have not intervened, allowing the landowners to continue with the system.

This development highlights the tension between economic interests and environmental conservation, particularly in areas that have become popular due to social media trends. The situation in the Dolomites underscores the challenges faced by destinations that attract large numbers of tourists, often leading to overcrowding and environmental degradation.

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/nri/visit/in-italys-dolomites-instagram-worthy-views-now-have-a-price-tag/articleshow/123204505.cms