Italian fund for tourism enterprises: deadline extended, applications due by September 12

There is now more time to access the resources of the Revolving Fund for Tourism Enterprises (FRI-Tur) for 2024, the incentive provided by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) aimed at improving hospitality services, enhancing accommodation facilities, and promoting digitalization and environmental sustainability. Through a Public Notice issued on July 30, 2024, protocol no. 0041543/24, the Ministry of Tourism announced the extension of the application deadline, setting the new cutoff at 12:00 PM on September 12, 2024. Initially, the deadline had been set for July 31.

The necessary forms to apply for FRI-Tur contributions have been available on the Invitalia website, which manages the incentive, since May 30. Eligible beneficiaries of the FRI-Tur fund include hotels, agritourism facilities, outdoor accommodations, as well as beach resorts and thermal spas.

To submit an application, applicants must have a digital identity (SPID, CNS, CIE) and access the dedicated FRI-Tur area to complete the application online. Additionally, a digital signature and a certified email address (PEC) are required. Upon completion of the online procedure, an electronic protocol number is assigned. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

€780 million to improve accommodation facilities

For 2024, the total allocation for the Fund is €780 million, with €180 million available as non-repayable grants and €600 million in subsidized financing provided by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. 40% of the resources allocated for direct spending contributions are earmarked for businesses based in the southern regions of Italy: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia, and Sicily.

FRI-Tur is aimed at medium to large-scale investments, ranging from €500,000 to €10 million, with a focus on energy efficiency upgrades (to which 50% of the resources are dedicated), seismic retrofitting, removal of architectural barriers, building renovations, digitalization, and other areas that can make Italian tourism enterprises more competitive internationally. The projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.