British tourists have been issued a warning by Italian authorities to buy their lunch in local shops in Italian mountain towns to ensure their economic survival.
Mayor of Vallo Torinese Marco Bussone complained that rural areas and the towns and villages within them were suffering despite a boom in tourism.
Whilst more urban places see tourism-related economic booms, in the mountains it has been more difficult for villages that have witnessed the closure of shops and bars.
As a result, mayors are calling for tourists to buy in the mountains to ensure these towns and villages can survive economically and benefit from a rise in tourists visiting Europe.
Speaking to the Times, Mayor Bussone said: “People buy everything from the shop next to their homes and they don’t buy anything in the mountains.
“This isn’t about ripping off the tourists but a way of saying that our territory has a cost too. Buying something in the local shop can help to guarantee the survival of the town. Buy in the mountain, and the mountain will live.
“No one wants to take advantage of the tourists or make people pay forfresh air, but this is an emergency.” Mayor Bussone’s comments came as Europe finds itself engulfed in a wave of tourists this summer.
So many are visiting Europe that local residents have begun to complain there are too many tourists in their neighbourhoods, an issue not faced by some of Italy’s mountainous villages.
However, whilst the rise in tourists means popular places are becoming more congested, entering the continent itself will soon become a little harder for Britons.
Earlier this week Italy, Greece, and Spain said they were going to issue a new £6 travel visa for British tourists as part of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
This new system, known as ETIAS, will be a requirement for entry to the continent. On how it works, the European Union website explained that once obtained it would be valid for up to three years.
The site added: “With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180 days.
“However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.”