Per Wiki:
In the 19th century, after a long period of stagnation, Vernazza
returned to wine production, enlarging and creating new terraced
hillsides. The result was a revitalisation of Vernazza's commerce.
Also at this time, the construction of the Genoa–La Spezia rail line
began, putting an end to Vernazza's long isolation. The population of
Vernazza increased by 60% as a result. Meanwhile, the construction of
La Spezia's naval base also proved important to Vernazza in providing
employment for many members of the community.
With the arrival of the 20th century, Vernazza experienced a wave of
emigration as working the land was viewed as dangerous and the cause
of disease, and the ability to further exploit agriculture diminished.
In 1997, the Cinque Terre was recognised as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO and in 1999 the National Park of the Cinque Terre was created.
Today the main source of revenue for Vernazza is tourism. However, as
a testimony to the strength of centuries-old tradition, fishing, wine
and olive oil production still continue.
As of 2022, population of Vernazza was 738. This is after this beautiful quaint but dying little town hugging a rocky coast was popularized by Rick Steves. Indeed many had discovered its charms before Rick but undoubtedly he helped increase tourism.
This notion that these towns like Vernazza and Minori weren't already on the tourist map and that tourism wasn't their lifeblood before Rick Steves seems to be untrue. As you can see from the above, the Cinque Terre was a world Heritage site before Rick waxed poetic about it. Minori is on the Amafi coast. It didn't just move there. It's been there.
If Vernazza or Minori or Barcelona or Amsterdam or Venice or Orlando or Las Vegas or Giza or wherever wanted less tourists, less crowding, and less ecological challenge, then they can do something about that-- and some are. Moving the cruise port out of Venice was such an act. Repeat that in Barcelona or Cinque Terre. Regulating, taxing and limiting AirBNBs and hotels are other tools.
I am sympathetic to locals who want to reduce crowding. It is easy to understand their point of view. I am supportive to whatever measures they take to preserve their Crown Jewels.
I am however not critical of travel writers like Rick Steves writing about places to travel. I am not critical of tourists who travel to those places. Both travel writers and travelers should be good stewards and thoughtful and inquisitive. If locals don't want tourists, I as a tourist understand that and will leave them in peace. But clearly the population of Cinque Terre and the Amalfi coast were clamoring for business before Rick ever wrote a word about them. If they now want to govern or limit that, that seems very fair too.
