Tourist backlash is escalating in Rome as golf cart tours become a popular method to navigate the city’s crowded cobblestone streets. According to data from Tripadvisor cited by The Associated Press, bookings for these tours have surged by 147% compared to 2024.
Locals express concern over the influx, citing issues such as illegal parking, increased traffic, and massive crowds. Reports indicate that approximately 500 golf carts are now operating in Rome’s streets, causing discontent among residents.
A golf cart used for tours was seen near the Colosseum on August 18, illustrating the rising presence of these vehicles in Rome’s historic center.
“The golf carts are quiet, occupy less space, and produce no exhaust fumes that can damage monuments,” supporters claim.
Pauline Frommer, publisher of Frommer’s guidebooks and Frommers.com, explained that the lack of extensive public transportation in Rome is driving demand for alternative travel options.
Frommer highlighted the challenge: “Whenever they start to dig a subway, they encounter a priceless relic, turning the site into an archaeological zone. Golf carts have emerged to fill this void.”
City officials, like Rome’s deputy mayor for sustainable mobility and transport, Eugenio Patanè, are looking to regulate these tours. They request increased authority over the carts from the regional government.
If approved, Rome plans to introduce regulations to cap the number of carts, designate tour routes, and identify which operators are allowed to conduct tours.
“We will be able to regulate this phenomenon that has now become rampant and, in some cases, even worrisome,” stated Patanè.
This initiative surfaces amid global discussions on managing tourist influx while protecting local life and historic sites.
Frommer pointed out the ongoing struggle with overtourism in major cities, where visitors sometimes outnumber residents, prompting restrictions on short-term rentals and protective measures for historic sites.
Restrictions on golf carts would affect tourists with mobility difficulties, as Rome’s limited public transit poses challenges for disabled visitors.
Online, opinions clash over whether the golf carts are beneficial or detrimental. One Reddit user advised against their use unless mobility issues necessitate it, calling Rome “a living, breathing city” rather than a mere theme park.
Meanwhile, others praise the convenience and enjoyable experience of golf cart tours, providing easy access to the city’s attractions.
As public debate continues, Rome’s attempts to balance tourism and daily life for its residents remain a pressing concern.
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