In the future, when documentaries and films are made to analyze this phenomenon of mass tourism and holiday rentals, one image will stand out above the rest: key boxes. The symbol of the times, the device located in the most unexpected places of the cities, allowing you to rent it to anyone without even coming into contact with the person. For this reason and another, Italy is putting an end to it once and for all.

The first was Florence. We said it a few days ago. Faced with crowds, Tuscany’s capital decided to take action before anyone else to ease the impact of the avalanche of visitors on its streets. Like? Mayor Sara Funaro presented a 10-point shock plan with guidelines and some very practical measures.

The two most commented points: The city will no longer allow guides to use loudspeakers to address groups of tourists, and hosts on platforms like Airbnb will no longer place metal key boxes on doors, portals, building facades, or whatever happens to rental managers. It is a very popular application to speed up self-check-in for tenants.

Italy accepts the proposal. The incident, which started in Florence, spread throughout the country. Italy has banned self-check-in as well as Reservations or other types of short-term tourist accommodation at Airbnb properties, eliminating the use of key boxes and keyboards to combat possible terrorism risks, among other things. organized crime.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the measure aims to strengthen security control in a country preparing for “major” holidays that will attract millions of tourists, such as the Holy Jubilee in 2025 or the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Stricter requirements. Therefore, the new regulation requires all guests, regardless of the length of stay, to register in person at local police stations. This replaces the previous practice where hosts sent guest documents, such as passport photos, via courier services.

From now on, hosts must mandate physical registration, eliminate the possibility of self-check-in without supervision, and require direct contact between hosts and guests to perform registrations.

Local support. This ban appears to have been welcomed by local leaders. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri underlined that the removal of key boxes not only improves security but also city aesthetics, describing these vehicles as elements that “disfigure the shape of our streets.”

He also evaluated the measure as a step towards preventing abuses, more effective access control and the first stop of unfair competition in the tourism sector.

Airbnb’s role. Although the online platform supports initiatives to strengthen security, it argued in a statement that self-check-in is a practical and flexible solution for both hosts and guests. The platform emphasized its commitment to responsible hosting and its willingness to collaborate with the Italian government on solutions that address local security concerns without sacrificing convenience for users.

Impact on tourism. There is also no doubt that the measure is framed in a context where Italy is facing an unprecedented influx of tourists. Events such as the Holy Jubilee and the Winter Olympics in Cortina, which are estimated to attract between 30 and 35 million tourists, represent an explosion in the use of short-term rentals.

In response, authorities believe the uncontrolled growth of this method puts public safety at risk and creates tension in local communities.

Sector. This is the last leg to cover, but it is just as important. The ban poses a logistical challenge for hosts who now have to manage arrivals in person, which in some cases can discourage the rental of properties for short-term stays. On the other hand, the initiative can strengthen fair competition between registered hosts and contribute to compliance with local regulations by reducing the possibility of illegal accommodation.

Be that as it may, the ban on self-check-in reflects another attempt by Italy to balance safety and the tourist experience at a time when, as we said, there is high growth in the sector and, in many cases, underwhelming. Although this measure may create inconvenience for hosts and guests, the government hopes that it will strengthen confidence in responsible tourism and guarantee safety during events that will put Italy in the global spotlight. It is a not inconsiderable change that sets an important precedent in the regulation of the short-term rental industry and signals a stricter approach to control and legality.

Image | Dennis Jarvis, Aranami

in Xataka | Venice was so fed up with tourist crowds that the entrance fee was invented. It turned out so well that the days will double

in Xataka | To avoid being overwhelmed by mass tourism, Italy has come up with an idea: higher prices and more places for travelers