After a wait of 38 years, Calabria takes a decisive step for the tourism sector with the approval of the new law on outdoor tourism entitled “Discipline of open-air tourist accommodation complexes”. The reform, which was necessary to align the regional legislation with national standards, will allow industry operators to work within a finally clear regulatory framework.
Until now, discrepancies with national legislation have caused several operational and management difficulties for entrepreneurs, exposing them to administrative and criminal sanctions, which, in some cases, have led to the closure of businesses, as recalled by regional councilor Antonello Talerico, who presented the bill.
The approval of the law was welcomed with great satisfaction by FAITA-FederCamping. For the association, which worked in synergy with political actors on the law’s presentation, this is a significant result for a region with a strong tourism vocation like Calabria: “With a clear and specifically designed regulatory framework for their needs, companies and entrepreneurs will be able to initiate development and growth projects for their offerings in a more rational way, in line with the sustainability and service criteria that today represent the most common standard in the national outdoor tourism landscape”.
The reform’s innovations
The new law introduces important innovations for the sector. First, the regulation fills a substantial legislative gap by redefining the concept of “outdoor tourist structures” as a broader category, within which types of outdoor accommodation structures, such as campsites and tourist villages, are clearly identified. It also establishes the minimum functional and structural requirements and makes the regulation clearer and more consistent.
The regulatory update allows outdoor tourist accommodation facilities to install tents and mobile units (caravans, mobile homes, maxicaravans, and similar) without needing building permits, a change that will encourage the sector’s development and growth. Furthermore, it regulates accessory installations, such as pre-entry areas and kitchenette units, which can be used within accommodation structures.
The services offered by these structures, such as restaurants, bars, food shops, and recreational and sports facilities, can be accessed not only by guests but also by the general public, contributing to territorial enhancement and inclusivity in the tourism offer. The law also updates the criteria for classifying tourist structures (the so-called stars), improving the outdated ones from 1986.
An additional advantage is that businesses can now access incentives provided by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), a benefit that was previously unavailable. Specifically, businesses can benefit from incentives and funding for renovations and upgrades, acquire new mobile accommodation units, implement procedures to remove architectural barriers, and undertake energy efficiency projects. Thanks to this reform, Calabria finally has the necessary tools to relaunch the outdoor tourism sector and gain competitiveness.
Photo by Cristian Manieri
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