We are moving towards a possible revision of the tourist accommodation tax from 2025, through an intervention within the next budget, to make it applicable to all municipalities on a voluntary basis. Currently the tourist tax is applied by just over 1,200 municipalities out of 7,900 in Italy and the amount, depending on the type of accommodation, varies from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 8 euros per night in cities of art and those with a greater tourist influx. The tax is currently worth around 700 million euros.
Today, the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, the Deputy Minister of Economy Maurizio Leo and the President of Anci Roberto Pella met to discuss how to make the tourist tax a purpose tax to return money to the tourism sector, guaranteeing the scope and the possibility, as requested by Anci, to also allocate the tax to urban decorum and safety. Next week a technical table will be convened, which will study the price ranges to make the tax proportional to the cost of the room and payable for each person. In the summer, drafts of a decree law with a first attempt to modify the tax had circulated, which provided for a tax of up to 25 euros, which however had seen an outcry from the hoteliers category. After the controversy, the Ministry of Tourism had clarified that the discussions with the trade associations and institutional actors had not yet been concluded in view of a possible proposal for modification.
“The intention is to rationalize the reporting burdens on hoteliers and at the same time allow municipalities to carry out checks on the financial component. Uniform rules are needed across the country”, comments Leo. “The tourism industry is important for GDP and also for municipalities and money must therefore be released into the sector. We must not make residents experience tourism as a threat but as an opportunity. We must not be ideological when we sit down at the table to find solutions. We are trying to distribute this tax better”, adds Minister Santanchè. “We appreciate the decision to expand the scope to all municipalities because it is right to give opportunities to everyone. We share the theme of simplification and finding guarantees to protect hoteliers and Mayors”, specifies Pella. Consumer associations are skeptical: “No to a generic extension of the tourist tax to all municipalities. If tourists are squeezed in this way, without a strategy and a logic, they will increasingly go abroad”, says the National Consumers Union. While for Codacons: «Tourists cannot be used as ATMs by municipalities to withdraw money in the absence of certainty about the actual use of the proceeds from the tourist tax».
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2024-09-14 18:19:23
– How will the revision of the tourist accommodation tax affect local economies in Italy?
Table of Contents
Revision of Tourist Accommodation Tax: A Boost to Italy’s Tourism Industry?
Italy’s tourism industry is set to undergo a significant transformation with the potential revision of the tourist accommodation tax, expected to come into effect in 2025. The proposed change aims to make the tax applicable to all municipalities on a voluntary basis, a move that could generate additional revenue for the tourism sector and local economies.
Current State of the Tourist Tax
Currently, only about 1,200 out of 7,900 municipalities in Italy apply the tourist tax, which varies from a minimum of €1 to a maximum of €8 per night, depending on the type of accommodation and the location. The tax is estimated to generate around €700 million annually.
Proposed Changes
The Ministry of Tourism, led by Minister Daniela Santanchè, is working to revise the tourist tax to make it a purpose tax, allowing the revenue generated to be reinvested in the tourism sector. The proposed changes also aim to make the tax proportional to the cost of the room and payable for each person, rather than per room. This move is expected to simplify the reporting burdens on hoteliers and enable municipalities to conduct checks on the financial component.
Stakeholder Reactions
The proposed revision has received mixed reactions from stakeholders. The President of Anci, Roberto Pella, has expressed appreciation for the decision to expand the scope of the tax to all municipalities, emphasizing the importance of giving opportunities to all regions. Consumer associations, on the other hand, are skeptical about the proposed changes, arguing that a generic extension of the tourist tax to all municipalities without a clear strategy and logic could lead to tourists being “squeezed” and ultimately harming the industry.
Benefits for the Tourism Industry
The revision of the tourist tax is expected to bring several benefits to the tourism industry in Italy. By making the tax applicable to all municipalities, the industry can expect to generate additional revenue, which can be reinvested in infrastructure development, marketing, and other initiatives to enhance the tourist experience. Additionally, the proposed changes are expected to simplify the reporting process for hoteliers and provide greater opportunities for municipalities to conduct checks on the financial component.
Next Steps
A technical table will be convened next week to study the price ranges and develop a draft decree law for the proposed changes. The Ministry of Tourism will continue to engage with trade associations and institutional actors to finalize the proposal.
Conclusion
The revision of the tourist accommodation tax is a critical step towards revamping Italy’s tourism industry. By making the tax applicable to all municipalities and reinvesting the revenue generated in the sector, Italy can position itself as a more attractive destination for tourists and create new opportunities for local economies to grow.
Keywords: Tourist tax, Italy, tourism industry, Ministry of Tourism, accommodation tax, municipalities, revenue, hoteliers, consumer associations, Anci.
How will the proposed changes to Italy’s tourist accommodation tax promote fairness among varying municipalities?
Revamping Italy’s Tourist Accommodation Tax: A Path Towards Sustainability and Fairness
Italy’s tourist accommodation tax, a valuable source of revenue for municipalities, is set to undergo a significant revamp. The proposed changes aim to make the tax more inclusive, sustainable, and proportional to the cost of accommodations. The move is expected to benefit both the tourism industry and local communities, while promoting a more equitable distribution of revenue.
Current State of the Tourist Tax
Presently, the tourist tax is applied by approximately 1,200 municipalities out of 7,900 in Italy, with rates varying from €1 to €8 per night, depending on the type of accommodation. The tax generates around €700 million in revenue annually. However, its implementation is voluntary, and many municipalities have not adopted it, creating an uneven playing field.
Proposed Changes: A More Sustainable Approach
The Ministry of Tourism, led by Daniela Santanchè, is working towards a revision of the tourist tax, which could come into effect in 2025. The proposed changes aim to make the tax applicable to all municipalities on a voluntary basis, while introducing a more proportional system. The new tax rates would be tied to the cost of the room, with a cap of €25 per person.
The reform also seeks to address concerns from the hotel industry, which has been burdened by the tax’s administrative requirements. By streamlining the reporting process, hoteliers will benefit from reduced bureaucratic hurdles, allowing them to focus on providing better services to tourists.
Urban Decorum and Safety: Additional Benefits
One of the key objectives of the revised tax is to allocate a portion of the revenue to urban decorum and safety initiatives. This move is expected to enhance the overall tourist experience, while also benefiting local residents. By investing in urban infrastructure and security, municipalities can create a more welcoming environment for visitors, ultimately boosting the tourism industry as a whole.
Stakeholder Engagement and Consensus
The Ministry of Tourism has been engaging with key stakeholders, including the hotel industry, local authorities, and trade associations, to ensure that the revised tax is fair and effective. The technical table, scheduled to convene next week, will discuss the price ranges and proportionality of the tax, ensuring that all parties are on board with the proposed changes.
A Positive Step Towards Sustainability
The revamp of Italy’s tourist accommodation tax is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry. By adopting a more proportional and inclusive approach, the tax can generate more revenue for municipalities, while reducing the administrative burden on hoteliers. As the tourism industry continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that its benefits
