VENICE – Summer hotspot Rimini, globally iconic Venice, and unexpected contender Bolzano have retained their positions as Italy’s most overtouristed destinations for the second year running, according to the Composite Overtourism Index (ICST) released by the Demoskopika Institute and previewed by ANSA.it. They lead a ranking that includes Livorno, Naples, Milan, Trento, Rome, Verona, and Trieste.
Provincial systems in Aosta, Florence, and Siena also registered “High” overcrowding, with tourism significantly straining local resources. Conversely, Rieti, Benevento, Reggio Calabria, Isernia, Avellino, and Campobasso remain Italy’s least affected areas, experiencing minimal impacts on infrastructure and quality of life.
Key indicators reveal extreme disparities in tourist density and intensity. Rimini and Venice dominate the density rankings, recording over 17,000 and nearly 16,000 visitors per square kilometer respectively. Rimini also leads in per-capita tourism-related urban waste (76.8 kg per tourist), dwarfing Benevento’s 0.5 kg. Bolzano tops tourist intensity (visitors versus residents) with 69 tourists per inhabitant, followed by Venice (47:1). Lodi, Avellino, and Benevento rank lowest.
Full ICST Ranking:**
1. Rimini
2. Venice
3. Bolzano
4. Livorno
5. Naples
6. Milan
7. Trento
8. Rome
9. Verona
10. Trieste
11. Aosta
12. Savona
13. Ravenna
14. Imperia
15. Grosseto
16. Florence
17. Gorizia
18. Siena
19. Forlì-Cesena
20. Verbano-Cusio-Ossola
Demoskopika researchers warn: “Overtourism is no longer just a challenge but a priority impacting Italian destinations’ sustainability. It affects not only visitor experience but also residents’ quality of life. Rising overcrowding demands urgent interventions: regulating peak-season flows, promoting alternative destinations, and incentivizing year-round travel—especially during off-peak months.” The institute emphasizes providing precise data to support balanced governance, concluding: “Acting now is essential to ensure tourism remains an asset, not a crisis factor for communities and future generations.”
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