Sunday, September 8, 2024 Italy’s proposed tourist tax hike aims to reduce overcrowding, promote responsible tourism, and address the growing strain on popular destinations. Overtourism, which is already creating challenges from Venice to the Italian Riviera, may soon hit travelers’ wallets harder, as Rome considers raising its tourist tax in an effort to promote “responsible tourism” and generate additional revenue. A draft decree from Giorgia Meloni’s government, released this summer, suggests a significant hike in the tourist tax.
Currently set at approximately €5 (around R100) per night, the tax could increase to €10 for rooms costing €100, €15 for rooms priced over €400, and a hefty €25 for luxury suites exceeding €750. This proposal has ignited opposition from tourism groups, who argue that the increased tax could discourage visitors. Hotels as Cash Machines Bernarbo Bocca, president of the hoteliers’ association Federalberghi, voiced his frustration in May, accusing the government of treating “hotels as cash machines.
” Despite the backlash and international headlines, Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè dismissed concerns of “unfounded alarmism” over the weekend, though she did not rule out the plan’s implementation. Italy remains a global tourism powerhouse, ranking as the fourth most popular destination worldwide. Last year, 57.
2 million international visitors spent a total of $55.9 billion in the country, according to the World Tourism Organisation. Mixed Reactions In front of Milan’s iconic Duomo, tourists mingling with pigeons to capture selfies expressed mixed opinions about the potential tax hike.
While no final decision has been made, a government insider indicated that discussions with the tourism industry and local officials are ongoing. A Balancing Act With its wealth of cultural landmarks and scenic coastlines, Italy has always been a magnet for tourists. However, the growing influx of visitors is reaching unsustainable levels.
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