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In Italian, "Cinque Terre" means "five lands," comprising five ancient villages: Monterosso del Mare, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarola, all covered in vibrant colors and perched precariously on hillsides and rocky cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. The inhabitants primarily make their living from fishing, grape cultivation, and olive farming. It takes just over an hour by train from Pisa to reach this dreamy land. For centuries, Cinque Terre has retained its pristine beauty and unique architecture along its 42km coastline. A common feature of the five picturesque villages is their location on precarious cliffs.
The romantic beauty of Italy is gradually disappearing due to the impact of overtourism.
Legend has it that their ancestors built their homes on the cliff to escape invading armies and the Greeks seeking a new life. Life here went on peacefully until the first color photographs appeared in travel magazines and UNESCO recognized the site as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Cinque Terre, the majestic coastal strip with its picturesque villages in northern Italy, is facing a major challenge from mass tourism. Aware of the negative impacts on the environment, culture, and the lives of local people, the authorities and residents of Cinque Terre have joined forces to protect the region's heritage.
In 2016, the Italian government implemented a policy limiting the number of visitors to Cinque Terre to a maximum of 1.5 million per year. This was a significant step in controlling tourist overcrowding, which was putting pressure on infrastructure, the environment, and the lives of local residents.
The overwhelming number of tourists is a wake-up call for the local authorities in this area.
To implement this policy, Cinque Terre uses a ticketing system. Visitors wishing to visit the villages must purchase tickets in advance, and the number of tickets sold each day is limited.
In addition, visitor counting systems have been installed on the roads leading to the five villages. When the number of visitors reaches its daily maximum, the system will automatically notify and "close" Cinque Terre, limiting further influxes.
Instead of focusing on famous tourist attractions, Cinque Terre is moving towards developing experiential tourism, encouraging visitors to participate in activities such as hiking, kayaking, and exploring local cuisine. This tourism model allows visitors to fully experience the beauty and culture of Cinque Terre while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.
Public awareness and educational campaigns are implemented to raise tourists' awareness of environmental protection and respect for local culture. Tourists are encouraged to use public transportation, reduce waste, and comply with local regulations.
Cinque Terre is investing in sustainable infrastructure development, including wastewater treatment systems, renewable energy, and environmentally friendly transportation.
Efforts to protect Cinque Terre from mass tourism are a prime example of the growing global trend towards sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism not only benefits the environment but also contributes to preserving local cultural identity and improving the quality of life for the people.
