Giuridico e Amministrativo

🏢 Convention Bureau Roma e Lazio has grown by 13 new associates, including AG Group Italy, ICB Allestimenti, Pepe Catering, and ten others confirmed in late January. President Onorio Rebecchini reports the network now encompasses 151 operators, including 130 members and 21 partners. Rome ranks in the top seven worldwide destinations for international events and congresses and is the leading conference destination in Italy according to the International Congress and Convention Association (Icca).

📍 Collidanielarchitetto is a design studio led by architect Daniela Colli, gaining recognition in the hospitality industry, with multiple projects completed and in progress in Rome and internationally. ???? The article was published by We:ll Magazine on 2024-07-23, with an update on 2024-07-24. ???? Estimated reading time is 12 minutes.

📌 Federterme Confindustria highlights the critical need for qualified workers in the tourism sector and calls for the new Fondo Nuove Competenze regulations to address this. They urge Minister Calderoni to consider the unique challenges of tourism, such as high turnover and the rise of new professions, to ensure the 2023 criteria facilitate access for tourism companies. The forthcoming publication of the regulation aims to support businesses in overcoming the skilled labor shortage.

✈️ In the first half of 2024, Enac reported a 12% increase in air traffic compared to the same period in 2023, with over 100 million passengers. Domestic traffic rose by 5% to 33.5 million passengers, and international traffic grew by 16% to 66.6 million. Cargo volumes reached 600,557 tonnes, up by 18%, with significant growth in trade with Asia. Overall movements were 807,376, a 9% increase over 2023, and the average number of passengers per flight climbed from 114 to 124.

🏑️ In Barcelona, cruise passengers will face a substantial hike in the tourist tax for visits under 12 hours, announced by Mayor Jaume Collboni. The current tax is 7 euros per day. The increase aims to address the intensive use of public space without benefits to the city. Regional Catalan government approval is needed for the tax raise.

📌 Booking.com expressed disappointment with the Delaware District Court's decision in the USA, which ruled in favor of Ryanair in a case involving alleged 'screenscraping.' Booking.com, disagreeing with the verdict, plans to appeal. The company believes that allowing customers to compare travel prices promotes consumer choice.

💰 Invitalia will distribute grants for tourism in 2024, financing projects ranging from €100,000 to €1.5 million. By February 1, 2024, Smart & Start has funded 1,549 startups, activating €800 million in investments with €618 million granted. ON - Nuove Imprese a Tasso Zero has funded 1,319 projects, activating €555 million in investments with €245 million granted. The Digital Transformation program budgets €100 million for projects totaling €50,000 to €500,000 in expenditures, offering a 50% nominal rate of subsidies and 0% interest loans.

🏤 In Calabria, the historic Sila train on the Moccone – Camigliatello – San Nicola Silvana Mansio route is back after restoration funded by Ferrovie della Calabria. Passengers can ride in carriages crafted in 1910 by Carminati and Toselli, pulled by the FCL 353 steam locomotive from 1926. Plans to extend restoration to San Giovanni in Fiore are underway.

🏨 US hotel tax, also known as occupancy, lodging, or bed tax, is predominantly a state tax with local jurisdictions adding their own taxes. State hotel tax rates generally range between 2%-6%, but Hawaii boasts the highest state rate at 10.25%. Notably, Georgia levies a $5/night fee and cities like Columbus can exceed 20% due to local taxes. Calculating hotel tax involves local tax rates and can result in significant total charges, for instance, a combined state and city tax of 10% on a $100 room equals $110 per night. Online travel agents may add 'tax recovery charges' and 'service fees' to bookings, obscuring their profit margins. Tax revenue typically funds tourism, infrastructure, and community services, with the guest bearing the tax cost. Rates and rules vary significantly by region, affecting room rates and overall costs.

🏨 Hotel VAT, a form of value-added tax, varies by country and region, with different rates and names such as GST or sales tax. The standard VAT rate for hotel rooms in the UK is 20%, temporarily reduced to 5% during COVID-19. The US has no federal sales tax but imposes state and local taxes ranging from 2.9% to 7.25%, plus potential hotel taxes (0%-20%). In Italy, the standard rate is 22%, with a reduced 10% for tourism, excluding luxury hotels. Germany imposes a reduced 7% on hotels, lower than its standard 19%. Spain and Ireland offer reduced rates of 10% and 13.5%, respectively. Mexico has a flat 16% VAT, while Australia and New Zealand apply a 10% GST, the latter dropping to 9% for stays over four weeks. Thailand's VAT is temporarily cut to 7%, and the Philippines applies a 12% VAT. Indonesia uses local "PB1" taxes for hotels. Compliance with VAT regulations is crucial for hotel owners to avoid penalties.