It is a measure that Italy included in his latest budget law and which promises controversy. The reason is that it contemplates the possibility for the councils of the Italian cities of increase the fees paid by tourists until the 10 euros per person and for each night overnight stay (until now the ceiling was 5 euros). The increase will only be applied in cities that request it and meet certain requirements. But still, the hotel sector has already raised its voice against the tax.
“Tax the tourists It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”, has settled Vittorio Messima, president of the association of operators of the tourist sector Assoturismo Confesercenti. “It’s a risk discourage visitorsespecially families. Is exactly the opposite of what we should do& rdquor ;, Messima continued, estimating that the added expense for a family nucleus of four could reach the 280 euros the week.
With everything, not all cities They will have the power to apply the increase. According to the new law, the tax can only be implemented in those localities in which the public administrations can prove that “the presence of tourists is 20 times higher than the number of residents”. In addition, the data must be certified by the National Institute of Statistics (Istat) and must refer to the average of the three years preceding the year in which the application of the tax is requested.
iconic cities
The problem is that the risk is that some of the the most iconic cities of the Belpaese, according to a study carried out precisely by Assoturismo Confesercenti. This report, in fact, has detected that some of the cities that meet the required requirements are Siena, Florence, Venice, Pisa and Rimini. All of them are large towns in northern Italy and common destinations for European tourism and international, for his great heritage architectural, artistic and cultural.
The data illustrates it. The Center for Tourism Studies of siennafor example, has recorded that, in the 2017-2019 triennium, the average number of tourists that the city received each year was one million peoplewhile the number of residents is 53,000, which leaves a ratio of tourists/residents of over 20. Others are the cases where this ratio is even higher, as occurs in Florence (29), Rimini (50) and Venice (49). That is also why an organization, Italian Hospitality, even wrote a letter to the Italian Government requesting the cancellation of the new rule that, however, went ahead in recent days.
yes, they are few municipalities that Already they have confirmed that will apply these increases (Florence, Siena and Rimini are not among them). On the contrary, since the new law became known, the debates have intensified in many of the local administrations, with some councilors who have come out publicly to say that they rule out applying the new measure.
by inflation
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Others, however, have proposed to study how these could be used. additional funds that would enter the boxes of the administrations at a time when they are being affected by the inflation and the energy crisis. This is the case for some small communesin which previously there was no fee.
For example: Pomarance, a commune in the province of Pisain which 5,800 people live but which in summer It receives many tourists, which has led them to take advantage of the government initiative. “Price hikes they have imposed this decision on us. The State does not help us “, the deputy mayor Nicola Fabiani has justified himself. Even so, the expected increase in his town ranges from 0.50 to 1.5 euros per person. Something more reasonable.
Italy authorizes its municipalities to apply tourist taxes of up to 10 euros per night