Having spent a summer studying abroad in the beautiful yet crowded center of Florence, I was inspired to write an honors thesis exploring the multifaceted issue of overtourism in Italy. Through a review of literature, interdisciplinary analysis of case studies combining my knowledge of conservation and Italian culture, along with geospatial analysis and potentially contacting rural tourism operators, the thesis will aim to answer the following questions: 

1. How did overtourism develop in Italy (especially in Venice and Cinque Terre)?

2. What impacts does overtourism have on the environment, as well as Italian culture and the economy? 

3. What solutions have been proposed and implemented to mitigate these impacts? 

4. How might prior successes and failures help inform the development of rural areas? 

 This thesis will explore topics such as the history of tourism, the importance of fresh ingredients at the basis of Italian cuisine (UNESCO “Intangible Cultural Heritage”), and community-led models that empower residents and help retain economic benefits.

The thesis will also analyze sustainable solutions in areas such as construction, park and trail maintenance, and “slow tourism,” which is often tied to cultural discovery. Through geospatial analysis, I will determine how impacts such as land-use changes may be impacting wildlife, such as through habitat fragmentation and edge effects.