Glitzy Tuscan retreat is trying to stop locals being forced out by wealthy Russian visitors
After years of welcoming well-heeled tourists from around the world with open arms, one of Tuscany‘s smartest, most discreet beach resorts is in revolt against outsiders, wealthy or not. Forte dei Marmi – the traditional summer retreat for Italian captains of industry, writers and film stars – is changing the law to try to stop locals fleeing because of house prices driven out of control by incoming Russian millionaires. The town’s combative mayor, Umberto Buratti, is reserving space next to luxury villas with sea views for new homes that will only be sold to locally-born buyers or long-term residents. Other Italian resorts with similar problems will monitor the experiment with interest.
“We want to safeguard the character of the town instead of seeing it turn into a place with no ties, as anonymous as a motorway service station,” Buratti said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/04/italian-resort-forte-dei-marmi-tourists
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