Cinque Terre tourists could be fined up to $2.800 for wearing flip-flops while trekking

If you’re planning a trip to Italy’s famous Cinque Terre region this year, we’ve got two pieces of advice: expect bigger crowds than ever, and choose your footwear wisely.

Italian officials are threatening to fine holidaymakers up to 2.500 euros for walking along its scenic trails in flip flops, sandals or other unsuitable footwear this summer, as rescuers say they’re fed up of having to save inappropriately-dressed daytrippers stranded on the steep, narrow footpaths.

The rescue team is made up of volunteers from the Italian Alpine Club, a hiking organizations that helps maintain the trail.

“The paths are like Alpine trails. Tourists should not be tackling them in flip-flops and without adequate water,” club rep Maurizio Cattani said. It seems that the sum used to penalise offenders will be defined by the trouble they have caused to rescue workers.

'We are adopting a measure together with the forestry and the mayors', Patrizio Scarpellini, director of the Cinque Terre park told reporters 'it will be a gradual introduction, first with information and then with sanctions.'

The crackdown comes as the tourist season is set to come into full swing next month with thousands flocking to Cinque Terre.

Last year Club Alpino Italiano - a hiking club who volunteer on the mountain - said they had to rush to help a German family trapped on the craggy peaks with a pram.

The popular destination attracts more than 2.8 million visitors yearly, and is bracing itself for another high-trafficking tourists season, especially with the influx of new cruise ships docking at nearby port La Spezia.

According to The Telegraph, Cinque Terre expects to see 750.000 cruise ship passengers this year, up from 450.000 in 2018.