Italy is considering the introduction of a brand new £20 vacationer tax in yet one more blow to holidaymakers.
A number of Italian cities have introduced in measures to curb overtourism and its destructive results, together with congestion and rocketing housing costs.
The Italian Authorities is believed to be contemplating the brand new payment to dissuade guests from flocking to fashionable locations like Rome, Florence or Venice.
The transfer would additionally assist native funds by filling up the coffers of native councils.
Guests planning a keep in among the Mediterranean nation’s most costly lodges may very well be requested to pay as much as €25 (£20) per evening.
The brand new payment could be on high of already-existing vacationer taxes most huge cities require in a single day vacationers to pay. Venice costs as much as £4.21.
Authorities might use the additional money to enhance the standard of providers to handle rising demand whereas additionally safeguarding the cities.
Whereas a ballot final month discovered a big a part of Italians are in favour of restrictions on tourism, trade officers have warned the transfer might backfire.
Barbara Casillo, the top of resort trade affiliation Confindustria Alberghi, stated: “We should be very cautious.
“If we scare travellers who come to us by giving the impression that we wish to take what we will, we’re not doing a great service to the nation.”
Confindustria Alberghi president Maria Carmelo Calaiacovo insisted measures to manage the inflow of vacationers are necessary however mustn’t impression the competitiveness of Italy’s tourism sector.
Ms Colaiacovo stated final month: “The sector is making an necessary contribution to the nation’s economic system, particularly with the expansion of worldwide travellers, after the tough years of Covid.
“However overseas competitors is robust and fierce, we want cautious insurance policies that don’t compromise the competitiveness of our companies and our locations. We can’t be a mere ATM for municipalities.”
Italy has already introduced in measures that drive firms like Airbnb to gather and remit taxes on behalf of its short-term leases.
Florence has additionally launched a ban on the licences for brand new short-term lodging within the metropolis centre.