Florence is planning a major expansion of ​restrictions on new short-term tourist rentals, extending a ban beyond its UNESCO-listed historic centre, in a ‌new attempt to ease housing pressure in one of Italy's most visited cities.

Reuters – The measure, which Mayor Sara Funaro has called a national first, is due to be presented to a city council committee on Wednesday, with the aim of securing approval in ​early June.

It will prevent the creation of new short-term tourist lets across about 16 square kilometres (6 ​square miles) of the city for two years, nearly tripling the total number of homes ⁠covered by the ban to more than 103,000, from 35,593 at present.

The proposal does not reduce the number ​of existing short-term rentals, but would stop new ones being activated once it takes effect. Airbnb did not ​immediately comment on the plan.