30 July 2024 , 16:26
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Just days ago a tourist sparked fury in Italy for mimicking sexual acts against an iconic statue for a photograph
A popular spot for tourists has limited access for holidaymakers after huge influxes of people searching for a great Instagram picture.
After thousands of daily visitors for years, a classic feature in the area has been damaged and officials want to bring it back to life.
Grass and flowers growing next to the lake Credit: Alamy
Thousands of tourists flock there each day to capture the picture-perfect scenery Credit: Alamy
Near the famous Switzerland resort of Zermatt lies the Riffelsee lake - perfectly positioned in front of the infamous Matterhorn.
During high summer season, a railway service transports thousands of tourists up there each day.
In June and July, when the heat finally melts snow from the Alps, flowers including edelweiss, gentian and golden primrose are finally able to thrive there.
But the hordes of tourists travelling up to the 2,800m high spot have worn out the soil and trampled on the flowers.
Edelweiss, an iconic Swiss bloom, has not been spotted around Riffelsee lake for years.
Local authorities in Zermatt have decided that tourists need to be restricted in the area to protect the wildlife there.
While tourists are still allowed to visit for now, they’re directed towards the water on specifically marked paths - with the grassy area cordoned off.
The move by Swiss officials is the latest in a series of efforts across Europe to clamp down on tourism.
Days ago a female tourist sparked fury in Italy while posing for a lewd photo against an iconic statue in Florence, mimicking sexual acts.
Pictures showing the woman rubbing up against the statue were shared online and branded "an absolute disgrace".
The offensive snaps went viral online, causing widespread demands to crack down on disrespectful tourists with a strict "zero tolerance" policy.
Patrizia Asproni from Confcultura, a cultural heritage organisation, said: "Florence is a city that does not make visitors respect it.
"These continuous manifestations of rudeness and incivility occur because everyone feels entitled to do what they want with impunity.
"We need to apply the ’Singapore model’: tight controls, very high fines, zero tolerance."