- Portofino has introduced "red zones" to prevent tourists from lingering in popular selfie hotspots.
- The new ordinance aims to prevent dangerous overcrowding ahead of the peak tourist season.
A picturesque Italian town has introduced fines for tourists who linger in photography hotspots to take selfies.
The ordinance, which came into effect at the start of April, has introduced two "red zones" in busy parts of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera.
People who wait in these zones for "too long," perhaps to take photographs of themselves in front of the Ligurian season or iconic colorful buildings, will face a fine of up to 275 Euros ($300), The Times of London reported.
Insider contacted Portofino's tourism authority to find out what constitutes too long.
A spokesperson responded by forwarding Insider a copy of the ordinance, which it said would provide the answer, but it does not appear to specify an exact time.
Portofino, which was the backdrop to Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's wedding in the summer of 2022, is a popular hotspot for selfie-taking. The hashtag #portofino has more than 1.2 million posts on Instagram.
The no-loitering rule, which does not only apply to those taking selfies, is part of a government effort to prevent overcrowding during the peak tourist season in busy parts of the touristic fishing village.
The tiny town has a population of under 500, but the ordinance said that Portofino expects a "large influx" of visitors to arrive in the coming months, based on previous visitor numbers, current bookings, and cruise ship schedules.
Portofino's mayor Matteo Viacava said in an interview with The Times of London that the ordinance's goal is to "avoid dangerous situations" caused by pedestrian traffic.
He said it will hopefully put an end to the "anarchic chaos" seen in those areas in the past.
According to the ordinance, pedestrian congestion is an "obstacle" to emergency services being able to provide timely assistance. As such, the new rules will be in operation from the morning until 6 p.m. every day until October 15.
The mayor stressed that it was not designed to limit access to those wanting to visit and photograph Portofino.
"The objective is not to make the place more exclusive but to allow everyone to enjoy our beauty," he told The Times of London.