Giuridico e Amministrativo

🌎 Two Florida representatives introduced the Visit USA Act to Congress, aiming to restore funding for Brand USA. This proposal, reversing cuts by the Trump Administration, would reinstate revenues from the Visa Waiver Program requests. Supported by Brand USA's CEO Fred Nixon and U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman, the Act seeks to strengthen international tourism's economic role. The 2026 budget reduced Brand USA's public-private funding by 80%, from $100 million to $20 million.

📈 Italcares, backed by Federterme Confindustria and the Italian Ministry of Tourism, and Saudi Arabia-based Healtra, signed a memorandum to enhance Italy's medical tourism. This agreement aims to provide patients from Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) with ethical and patient-focused access to Italian medical and wellness services. Raffaella Di Sipio of Italcares highlights their commitment to safe, personalized care pathways, ensuring high care standards and data protection compliance.

📈 In 2025, GS1 Italy reported a rise in circular economy performance in Italy's consumer sector from 53% in 2022 to 61%. The sectors of personal and home care excelled, achieving 73.5% circularity, up from 48%. The food sector also improved, reaching 65.3% from 61%. Retail climbed slightly to 46% from 45%. 22 companies participated using Circol-UP, aligning with new national and international standards. Key improvements were noted in sourcing, production, and waste management.

🍴 Nel 2024, gli stranieri hanno speso 12,08 miliardi di euro in ristoranti italiani, un aumento del 7,5% dal 2023. Per il 2025, si prevede una spesa di 12,68 miliardi di euro (+5%). Viaggi enogastronomici generano 9 miliardi di euro. Riconoscimento UNESCO per la cucina italiana potrebbe aggiungere 18 milioni di turisti in due anni. Tra 2023 e 2024, chiuse 4.038 attività ristorative. Crescita del fatturato ristorazione: 1,7% (2025).

🏢 Margherita Sarli, during the Roots In event in Matera, proposed renaming the Puglia airport to include "Basilicata" or "Bari-Matera" to boost regional tourism. Dialogue with regional authorities is progressing. Nicola Lapenna supports this collaboration. Meanwhile, Sandro Pappalardo of Ita Airways announced a 2024 protocol with tariff reductions for Italodiscendenti visitors. Enhanced discounts are planned for 2025, with implementation expected by January 1, 2026.

🛫 IATA challenges the EU261 reform, highlighting that only 1% of flights experience delays over three hours, yet 99% of passengers bear compensation costs. Willie Walsh criticizes baggage fees, noting costs are unfairly distributed among passengers. IATA urges the EU to eliminate passenger taxes and revise SAF rules for affordability, arguing that simpler compensation systems could reduce fares. Walsh emphasizes the need to adjust EU proposals for better business and operational understanding.

💸 From January 1, an 11% cruise tax may start in Hawaii, extending the state's lodging tax to cruise ships. The Cruise Lines International Association (Clia), supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, has filed a lawsuit against this tax, arguing it violates constitutional tonnage clauses and the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1884. The "green fee" aims to fund climate resilience and environmental causes but is claimed to misuse funds not for cruise services.

🍺 La Corte di giustizia UE ha ribadito che il gin deve avere almeno 37,5% ABV, colpendo bevande come "Virgin Gin Alkoholfrei" in Germania. Bacardi prevede per il 2026 un calo del consumo alcolico notturno a favore del tardo pomeriggio. In Francia, "più della metà" dei giovani e un terzo negli USA preferiscono bere prima. Diageo investirà £5 milioni in 5 anni per restaurare 3.000 ettari di torbiere in Scozia, riducendo del 5% il consumo di torba nel 2024.

🍺 AssoBirra seeks a reduction in beer excise duties from €2.99 to €2.97 per hectoliter and Grado Plato for Italy's 2026 budget to support a sector generating €10.4 billion and employing 112,000 people. Despite structural strength, market indicators fell with a 1.5% drop in consumption and 7.8% in exports. Excise duties make up 40% of popular beer prices, impacting consumer purchasing power and competitiveness. Prior excise cuts boosted consumption by 10% and production by 11%. Estimated cost: €4.7 million in 2026.

⛵ The Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport and Tourism issued a joint circular on November 11, outlining guidelines for coordinating tourism packages and commercial use of pleasure crafts. The circular, signed by Patrizia Scarchilli and Francesco Felici, clarifies the legal framework, emphasizing intermediaries' roles. This initiative aligns with Italian legislative measures (d.lgs. n. 79/2011, d.lgs. n. 171/2005) and EU Directive 2015/2302, aiming to enhance competitiveness. President Piero Formenti praises the effort for simplifying regulations.