Italian Ski Resort Overwhelmed After TikToker's Viral Video Promotes Destination

Roccaraso imposes restrictions after 10,000 additional visitors caused chaos, with the mayor citing safety and logistical concerns.

Rita De Crescenzo, a Neapolitan TikTok influencer with 1.7 million followers, praised Roccaraso in a viral video, prompting an influx of over 10,000 visitors last weekend.
The small ski resort, which typically hosts 35,000 visitors on winter weekends, saw an unmanageable surge of tourists arriving on 260 buses, many on budget travel packages.
The unexpected crowds caused traffic gridlock, overwhelmed facilities, and left the resort littered with trash, sparking complaints from residents and local officials.
Mayor Francesco Di Donato announced measures to limit future overcrowding, including a cap of 100 tourist buses per weekend and mandatory online pre-booking for bus companies.
De Crescenzo denied responsibility for the disruptions and stated that even more visitors might arrive this weekend due to her continued promotion of the destination.