The Italian open-air industry raises its voice: the government rejected all of its requests

The outdoor tourism sector raises its voice and is ready to declare the “state of turmoil”. After attempting the path of dialogue with the Government to better face the emergency situation caused by the pandemic, it was bitterly necessary to take note that the entire segment was substantially ignored, despite the fact that this is second national hospitality sector, as well as the most important in the open air at an European level: 150,000 employees, 10 million tourists for 70 million presences and a turnover of 5 billion euros, expressed by the open air in 2019.

ASSITAI Confindustria, FAITA Confcommercio and ASSOCAMPING Confesercenti underlined it in a joint press release, who accuse Italian politics of having ignored the “en plein air” industry. The 3 federations highlighted how all the amendments tabled by a sector that is “the only sustainable tourism modality on our market” have been excluded. These are the four main points that would not have been taken into consideration, as presented in the press release:

• the possibility of having the non-refundable contribution for the months of March, April and May was not recognized;
• the possibility of taking advantage of the tax credit for the lease payments of non-residential properties and business leases regardless of the revenues and fees volume recorded in the previous tax period was not recognized;
• incentives for energy efficiency, bonus earthquake, photovoltaic and charging stations for electric vehicles were not provided;
• the provision for exemptions from the municipal tax-IMU has not been integrated.

The category federations are now asking the ministers of Tourism, Economy and Economic Development, the presidents of the parliamentary groups of the Chamber and the Senate and other politicians “that the essential amendments for survival and the relaunch of the open air hospitality sector are presented, discussed and approved”. The press release also concludes by asking “the immediate convocation of the representatives of outdoor tourism to the tourism crisis table set up at MiBACT, to overcome a partial and reductive vision of tourist accommodation which at best is determined by a poor knowledge of the national tourism sector, of its articulations and ultimately of its characteristics of diversification of the offer which constitute a strength to be enhanced”.

The voice of the 3 federations has been joined by that of Open Air Next Step, a project created by the will of Baia Holiday, Club del Sole, Crippaconcept, Human Company, Vacanze col cuore and Vacanze di Charme, which underlines how there has been an incomprehensible “lack of attention from the institutions towards this particular and relevant tourism segment”.

“This lack,” was written in a statement, “is made further inexplicable in the face of the Covid-19 emergency, since open air tourism is the safest accommodation segment, due to the inherent characteristics that distinguish this type of holiday such as the spacing of structures, privacy, contact with nature, etc”.