Shortly before midnight on Friday, December 20, the Regional Council of Tuscany approved by majority vote the new Unified Tourism Law. This legislation marks a significant step forward in the regulatory reorganization of the sector, introducing important changes in the management of overtourism, short-term rentals, and accommodation facilities, with particular attention to sustainable tourism and outdoor activities.
Key innovations
The new law grants regulatory autonomy to open-air accommodation facilities. Campsites, tourist villages, motorhome rest areas, and marina resorts will be regulated more efficiently, responding to the growing demand for stays in close contact with nature.
Enrico Paoli, director of FAITA Toscana, expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of rules facilitating the management of mobile homes and the possibility of installing staff housing: “FAITA Toscana participated in the consultation phase and the drafting of this text, and we can consider ourselves satisfied since our requests have been met,” he told Camping Management. “We made proposals on two main topics: on the one hand, landscape and urban planning concerning mobile homes, to help businesses manage this type of customer request, which has been included in the regulation. We also requested, and it was granted, the possibility of installing staff housing within accommodation facilities so that employees can work comfortably”.
Short-term rentals, sustainability, and governance
The phenomenon of short-term tourist rentals, which creates housing pressures in high-density tourist areas such as Florence and Pisa, is addressed with an innovative regulation. Municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants can adopt specific regulations to limit the maximum number of rental days per year and ensure minimum quality standards. The aim is to protect the social fabric and promote the accessibility of long-term housing.
The new legislative framework integrates the principle of promoting sustainable tourism and strengthens the role of Tourism Area Communities. These aggregative entities will replace the Territorial Areas and will be responsible for designing promotional actions in collaboration with Toscana Promozione Turistica and Fondazione Sistema Toscana, focusing on digitalization and the regional tourism ecosystem.
Opportunities for training
The Unified Law also introduces the concept of Academy Hotels for 4- and 5-star facilities, which will be able to offer training activities in the field of hospitality, inspired by Swiss excellence. Additionally, partnerships with universities and healthcare institutions for subsidized housing are encouraged, combining social inclusion with the enhancement of existing resources.
With over 40,000 businesses and 120,000 workers during peak seasons, Tuscan tourism is one of the main pillars of the regional economy. The new Unified Tourism Law provides a modern and flexible regulatory framework aimed at consolidating Tuscany’s leadership as a premier destination, committed to sustainability and the quality of the tourist experience.
Photo: Vallicella Glamping Resort
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