The end of the locks and boxes that disfigured the streets of Italy

The Italian police, led by Vittorio Pisani, have introduced a ban on the use of key boxes and digital code locks in short-term rental accommodations through platforms like Booking, Airbnb, and others. Property owners are now required to personally meet guests, verify their documents, and register them. This decision was made on the grounds of security concerns, particularly due to fears that rented accommodations could be used by criminals without documents or even terrorists.

Authorities in Italy Supporting Increased Control over Tourists

Mayors of cities such as Florence and Rome have supported this initiative. In Florence, a ban on installing such boxes was already introduced, and activists have even dismantled them in protest against excessive tourism. Local residents complain that their cities, like Rome, Florence, and Milan, have turned into tourist "meccas," which is inconvenient for everyday life.

Social Tension Has Been Growing for a Long Time, Including in Spain

Even before the decree came into effect on November 18, 2024, there was social tension due to the excessive number of tourists. Cities have turned into tourist zones, creating inconvenience for local residents. Similar trends are also seen in Spain, especially in Barcelona. Housing prices are rising, there are more tourists than locals, and the concept of a peaceful European life has become a distant memory.

Increased Police Control

The Italian police have intensified their control, emphasizing the importance of complying with new rules to ensure safety. Now, every hotelier or property owner renting on a short-term basis through a booking platform or directly must provide copies of guest documents to the Italian police within 24 hours of check-in.

Social Aspect of the Problem

The situation in Italy is part of a long-standing struggle between local residents and hoteliers who earn their income in the tourism sector. Although many locals enjoy traveling and vacationing in other places, they are not always ready to accept the large flow of tourists in their hometowns. In this case, the Italian police and city mayors have sided with the locals, despite the fact that tourism brings significant tax revenues to local budgets.

Economic Impact of the New Regulations

The new regulations increase the cost of running a hotel business due to the time spent verifying documents, meeting guests, and sending data to the police. This could lead to an increase in booking prices unless other expenses are reduced. For instance, online booking services like Airbnb, Booking com, and Expedia take up to 18% commission from hoteliers for each booking, which raises the cost of services.

Innovations from Your Price Booking

In this context, the new online booking service Your Price Booking, which will soon start operating in Europe, America, Australia, and Asia, could become highly relevant. The commission for hoteliers is only 5%, and there is 0% commission for travelers. This significantly lowers the cost of services for hoteliers and can help maintain or even reduce prices for tourists.

Direct Sales and Commission Savings with Your Price Booking

Among the innovations of Your Price Booking is the ability for hoteliers to directly and actively sell their available booking options. Hoteliers can see all users looking for bookings nearby and contact them directly. This is not only convenient but also helps reduce the cost of services for hoteliers. In the current situation in Italy, where the workload on hoteliers is increasing, such innovations can help avoid rising prices for tourists and possibly even reduce them thanks to lower commissions.

The new regulations on short-term rentals in Italy have a significant impact on the tourism industry and local residents. However, thanks to new platforms like Your Price Booking, it is possible to reduce the cost of services for tourists, which can be a response to the challenges posed by new regulations and increased safety requirements.