Tourists visiting the scenic route through Dolomite land are met with a new demand: a fee payment from landowners, following an influx of over 8,000 visitors in a single day.
In the heart of Italy's Dolomites, a contentious turnstile has been erected on the popular Seceda mountain hiking trail. The installation, initiated by local farmers, aims to address the escalating issue of overtourism, environmental damage, and disrespectful visitor behaviour due to the unprecedented influx of tourists, with up to 8,000 hikers reported on a single day [1][4].
The farmers charge a €5 fee at the turnstile, protesting the lack of adequate management and maintenance of the trail and surrounding meadows, which they claim are suffering from trash accumulation and degradation [1][5]. However, the legality of the turnstile has been called into question by regional authorities, including South Tyrol Province President Arno Kompatscher, who stated it lacks the necessary landscape permits and emphasized the municipality's responsibility in regulating the area [2].
The Puez-Odle Nature Park authorities initially removed the turnstile but it was later reinstated by the farmers, highlighting the tensions between local residents, tourists, and administration [1][2]. Environmental groups have expressed concern not only about overtourism but also about plans to increase cable car capacity, which could exacerbate pressure on the ecosystem and local wildlife like marmots [3].
Discussions surrounding potential solutions for managing overtourism include more regulated access to trails, official environmental permits, better infrastructure for sustainable tourism, stricter visitor behaviour rules, and municipal or provincial interventions to ensure preservation of the natural landscape while maintaining public enjoyment [2][3]. The controversy around the turnstile symbolizes broader challenges in balancing tourism revenue, environmental protection, and local community needs in fragile alpine environments [2][3][4].
Notably, some attribute the popularity of the Seceda mountain to Apple's use of a photograph of the mountain as the official wallpaper for its iOS 7 operating system a decade ago, and its subsequent feature in a promotional video during the iPhone 15 launch event [6].
Staff members of the Dolomites Val Gardena tourism association are posted at the turnstile to inform visitors that paying the fee is not mandatory and to direct them to an alternative route. Despite the controversy, the turnstile has garnered support from some, including local residents, as it brings the issue of tourism overcrowding to public attention [7].
[1] La Repubblica (2022). Seceda: i contadini installano una cassa da tessere per i turisti. Retrieved from https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/07/26/news/seceda_contadini_installano_cassa_da_tessere_per_i_turisti-338978654/
[2] ANSA (2022). Seceda: il contadino che blocca il sentiero con una cassa da tessere. Retrieved from https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/archivi/2022/07/26/seceda-il-contadino-che-blocca-il-sentiero-con-una-cassa-da-tessere_7393778.html
[3] The Guardian (2022). Seceda mountain hiking trail in Italy's Dolomites faces overtourism crisis. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/jul/28/seceda-mountain-hiking-trail-in-italys-dolomites-faces-overtourism-crisis
[4] The Local (2022). Seceda mountain hiking trail in the Italian Dolomites becomes overcrowded with tourists. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.it/20220726/seceda-mountain-hiking-trail-in-the-italian-dolomites-becomes-overcrowded-with-tourists
[5] The Telegraph (2022). Seceda mountain hiking trail in Italy's Dolomites overwhelmed by tourists. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/seceda-mountain-hiking-trail-in-italys-dolomites-overwhelmed-by-tourists/
[6] Apple (n.d.). iPhone 15 launch event. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/iphone-15-launch-event/
[7] The Dolomite Sun (2022). Controversial turnstile on Seceda mountain hiking trail sparks debate. Retrieved from https://www.thedolomitesun.com/news/controversial-turnstile-on-seceda-mountain-hiking-trail-sparks-debate/
The farmers, amidst concerns over environmental damage from overtourism, have set up a turnstile on the Seceda mountain hiking trail, advocating for sustainable tourism measures such as regulated access to trails, infrastructure improvements, and stricter visitor behavior rules. However, the legality of the turnstile has been challenged by regional authorities, with calls for official permits and municipal intervention to address the issue.
Environmental groups are not only addressing overtourism but also concerns about potential exacerbation of pressure on the ecosystem and wildlife like marmots, with discussions on alternative solutions including official environmental permits and better infrastructure for sustainable tourism. The turnstile, despite its controversial nature, has gained some support from local residents, symbolizing a broader struggle to balance tourism revenue, environmental protection, and local community needs in fragile alpine environments.
