Activists in Rome have launched a Robin Hood-inspired protest against mass tourism, targeting short-term rental properties near historic sites.
Protesters removed several key safes used by tourists to access holiday lets in the heart of the Italian capital between the ancient Circus Maximus and Palatine Hill, expressing their fury towards tourism’s impact on housing availability and costs.
Demonstrators left behind protest notes and green Robin Hood-style hats, denouncing the city’s “sell-out” to short-stay holidays.
They hacked off black key safes from properties in the city centre, leaving a note that said: “We are rebelling.
This protest is part of a wider European movement against mass tourism, with similar activity taking place in Spain and Venice
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“We have removed these key storage boxes to denounce the sell-out of the city to short-stay holidays which alienate locals and leave residents out on the streets.”
The saboteurs highlighted the “exponential growth” in rental costs, blaming the surge in short-term lets, calling on Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, to enforce restrictions.
The protest is part of a wider European movement against mass tourism, with similar activity taking place in Spain and Venice.
Protesters argue that the proliferation of short-term rentals is “taking away space for ordinary families”.
Many Roman landlords are evicting long-term tenants in favour of more lucrative holiday lets, particularly as the city prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year.
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Activists claim that in Rome alone, over 50,000 people face housing problems, which is more than tripled since 2022.
The note left by protesters highlighted stagnating Italian salaries against rising rents.
They argue this trend is forcing locals out of the city centre, with 22,000 people reportedly living on the streets in Rome’s metropolitan area.
Rome is bracing for further demonstrations against mass tourism.
Access to the iconic Trevi Fountain will be restricted, with plans to introduce an entrance fee
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Next week, locals plan to gather in Campo de’ Fiori, banging pots and pans whilst dressed as ghosts to symbolise their perceived invisibility in their own city.
The city is also taking steps to manage the influx of visitors. Access to the iconic Trevi Fountain is being restricted, with plans to introduce an entrance fee.
Graffiti recently appeared on the fountain’s barrier, reading “Ci vediamo a Disney” (“Welcome to Disneyland”), reflecting locals’ frustration with Rome’s transformation into a tourist attraction.
These measures come as the city prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year, which is expected to attract millions more visitors.