Home Travel News

OVERTOURISM: Tourists brawl over selfie spot at Rome's Trevi Fountain

Overcrowding isn't just threatening the future of great icons in the world; it's trying people's patience, including two women who brawled over a selfie spot in front of the Trevi Fountain.

Overcrowding isn’t just threatening the future of great icons in the world; it’s trying people’s patience, including two women who brawled over a selfie spot in front of the Trevi Fountain.

Oh yeah, it was over a selfie spot.

According to reports, the two tourists (a 19-year-old and a 44-year-old) clashed when they both wanted to take a photo in the same spot at the same time in front of the ancient architecture.

Shortly after the fight began, family and friends jumped in to defend the Dutch and American tourists, which turned it into a photo and social media sharing opportunity for locals and other tourists.

Eventually, four police officers were called in to break up the argument, but it isn’t yet clear if either of the ladies managed to get their Trevi Fountain selfie.

Conflict at popular sites is one of the milder effects overtourism is having across Europe during peak periods.

Overcrowding has become such as issue at Rome Trevi Fountain that local leaders recently announced plans to lay a designated pathway for tourists. It follows last year’s law forbidding travellers from eating, drinking or clambering around the centuries-old architecture.

“We’re looking at the idea of having a route which would allow tourists to see the Trevi Fountain but without stopping.”

Andrea Coia, Trevi City Councilor

Coia continued, saying that situation at the fountain has become “unlivable”.

 

What are your thoughts on the news?