Italy launches the 2025 ATECO Classification with a distinction between campsites and RV areas

The first day of the new year will bring changes for all Italian economic activities, including those in the tourism sector. ISTAT, the Italian Institute for Statistics, has updated the ATECO codes with a new classification set to take effect on January 1, 2025, and operationally adopted starting April 1st. This transitional period allows administrations to adjust their systems and processes to the updated data. For the hospitality and tourism sector, the primary innovation is the introduction of separate codes for activities that were previously grouped under the same ATECO classification.

This ATECO codes reorganization, following ISTAT’s last update in 2022, was necessary to better reflect the realities of a constantly evolving sector. Specifically, the new classification differentiates between campsites and areas equipped for recreational vehicles, acknowledging the unique characteristics of each activity.

Another newly introduced distinction separates bed and breakfasts from short-term rental properties, such as vacation homes and apartments. Additionally, a specific code has been assigned to marina resorts, a rapidly growing accommodation option. A special code has finally been created for the recreational vehicle segment. This is a very important result for the sector, achieved thanks to the strong efforts of Assocamp, which has been involved in several meetings with the statistical institute in recent months to find the right solution.

An up-to-date snapshot of economic activities

ATECO is the classification of economic activities adopted by ISTAT for statistical and administrative purposes (e.g., taxation). The new classification comprises 3,257 codes and was developed by the ATECO Committee, which includes the Ministry of Tourism. This marks the culmination of a mapping process initiated by ISTAT last April, involving over 150,000 businesses.

The aim is to provide a more precise and comprehensive representation of the Italian entrepreneurial landscape, identifying emerging economic activities to support the development of targeted policy measures.