18-07-2025
The Italian town banning a very common restaurant tactic
A historic Italian city is cracking down on a common restaurant tactic in efforts to combat the negative impact of increasing tourism.
Lucca, situated on the Serchio river in Italy 's Tuscany region, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy, known for its historic city centre, Renaissance walls and tranquil ambience.
However, the walled city has experienced a significant increase in visitors this year, particularly after emerging as a 'timeless gem' on social media.
Last year, Lucca reported a record number of one million hotel bookings, and in the first four months of 2024, saw notable rise in visitor numbers.
The city's leaders have grown increasingly concerned that the influx of tourists and the associated activities are negatively impacting its unique character - now, they're declaring war on 'worrying' restaurant tactics such as touting.
Touts - known locally as 'buttadentro' - are often employed to stand outside restaurants to try to entice passersby to dine there.
Though they are responsible for attracting customers, some are reported to use persuasive or even aggressive tactics.
As well as restaurants, buttadentro are often placed outside of nightclubs, where they are responsible for selecting who gets to enter the establishment.
This role is closely associated to the 'buttafuori' (bouncer) who is responsible for removing people.
Though some visitors and locals might see the practice as a harmless way to attract customers, others report finding it intrusive and annoying.
Now, Lucca has announced a ban on buttadentro across its historic center to curb over-tourism and preserve the city's atmosphere, as reported by La Nazione.
On 10 July, the municipality adopted an ordinance prohibiting the promotion of restaurant businesses in public areas and on public land outside restaurants, bars, pizzerias, and similar establishments.
Mayor Mario Pardini and Councilor for Commerce and Urban Decor, Paola Granucci, said in a joint statement: 'Lucca is a city with a strong historical, artistic, and touristic identity, and must be experienced with respect and style.
'Our ordinance does not restrict commercial activity, but protects the urban beauty and safeguards the authentic experience of residents and visitors.
'We reiterate that promoting one's services is legitimate, but doing so in an invasive, insistent, or unfair manner is incompatible with the image we wish to preserve for our city.'
Businesses and establishments flouting the new rules will be issued fines by the Muncipal Police and the Police Headquarters.
For repeat offenders, they may see their public land concessions revoked or their business suspended for up to three days.
It comes as a popular British tourist hotspot has banned walking barefoot, picnics, and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions in a brutal crackdown.
Holidaymakers visiting Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, are now facing fines for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad.
Starting today, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless - or sit in the piazza in such attire.
