In the mid-sixties, Marco De Poli, then director of the student newspaper “La zanzara” of the Parini high school in Milan, led a courageous battle for the renewal of customs, today, as owner and manager of the resort La Francesca in Bonassola, a stone's throw from the Cinque Terre, he is a standard-bearer of quality tourism against the horror of overtourism and “hit and run” tourism. Living in a topical corner of Eastern Liguria, De Poli is an exceptional observer of today's tourism trends, its contradictions but also its possibilities for regeneration. He talked about it in this interview with FIRSTonline. Let's hear it.
De Poli, Europe, with Amsterdam at the forefront, is increasingly suffocated by overtourism. It is a phenomenon that also closely concerns Italy but so far there has not been a single and winning response. How do you evaluate the situation of tourist overcrowding in Italy in general?
“I live in the center of Milan, in Brera, an area of great artistic interest but until recently not very frequented by tourists. In the last few years I have witnessed a radical transformation: half of the doors are covered with advertisements for short-term rentals (while the costs of “normal” ones have become unsustainable), and the sidewalks are invaded by a crowd of travelers with trolleys. I imagine that in other cities of art the situation is – if possible – even worse; and I ask myself: is it worth it? According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, the observer modifies the observed object: therefore this crowd of tourists forcibly transforms – in a negative way given the excessive quantity – the quality of the beauty that it tries to “take possession of.”
Overtourism affects many Italian locations and among these one of the critical points is that of the Cinque Terre where various measures have been adopted such as the obligation to book to visit the famous Via dell'Amore and the increase in train prices: what is your opinion? Are these measures effective and are they fair from a social point of view? Do you have alternative proposals?
“Overtourism in the Cinque Terre – practically unknown until a few decades ago – is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it has assumed truly unsustainable proportions, given the geographical smallness of the territory involved and the ease of reaching it by train. There are no miraculous solutions, it is not enough to increase the price of train tickets to drive away the hordes of “hit and run” tourists for a few hours (in the evening a desert is created almost everywhere) – a solution that perhaps “discourages” quality tourism.”
In the case of the Cinque Terre, what effects does overtourism have on the surrounding areas and on the accommodation facilities that focus not on mass tourism but on quality tourism? Do they penalize them or enhance them by highlighting the different type of tourist offer?
“We personally at the Resort La Francesca in Bonassola – just a few kilometres from the Cinque Terre – have been offering a completely different vision of tourism for over 60 years: large spaces in the middle of protected nature, services (beach, swimming pool, playground, sports facilities, bar, mini market, restaurant) that allow you not to leave the Village; but also, if you want, the possibility of immersing yourself for a few hours in the crowd, and then returning immediately to peace… Most of our guests – 70% of whom are foreigners – plan a visit to the Cinque Terre; but then they are very happy to return to take refuge in the quiet of nature!”
Another much-advertised experiment is that of Venice, where a mandatory entrance fee for tourists has recently been established, with prices that are not always negligible. What do you think?
“I don’t think that a ticket – of any amount – can discourage those who consider a visit to Venice or the Cinque Terre a “must” to be satisfied, given that you already spend a lot overall for the trip…”
In general, what should be done to tackle overtourism and promote quality tourism?
“I think we should enhance the very wide 'alternative' possibilities. All around the Cinque Terre (for example just outside of La Francesca, between Levanto, Bonassola and Framura) there are many paths "unknown" to mass tourism, therefore deserted and with even more beautiful views! Focusing on responsible tourism linked to the territory has always been our goal.”
