The trouble with tourists: Italy braces itself for more unruly visitors following Spanish Steps damage

The incident on the Spanish Steps is the latest episode of damage caused by visitors against icons of Italy’s rich cultural heritage, reports Sofia Barbarani

A woman shelters from the sun under an umbrella at the Spanish Steps during hot weather in Rome (Reuters)

Not many electric scooter rides have made such international headlines. Then again, not many electric scooter rides take place on an 18th-century globally-recognised landmark.

An American tourist in Rome has been banned from the city’s iconic Spanish Steps for life after she and a friend caused £20,000 worth of damage by reportedly hurling an electric scooter down them. The incident was caught on camera by a passerby.

But, sadly, the incident might not be isolated.