Giuridico e Amministrativo

🏠 In 2023, 1,268 Italian municipalities (22%) implemented a tourist tax. Since 2019, the numbers have risen from 1,003 to 1,046 in 2020, 1,059 in 2021, and 1,143 in 2022. The tax generated €774.9 million nationally, with Central Italy collecting the most at €291.8 million. Corvara di Badia topped the per-capita collection with €1,448, outpacing a national average of €26. Key tourist cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan saw the highest absolute collections.

🏠 In Italy, short-term rental regulations are critical for hoteliers and property managers, focusing on "condominium regulations" and "tourist tax." Condominium regulations dictate the rules within residential complexes, potentially affecting rental activity. The tourist tax varies by region and supports local public services and tourism infrastructure. Property managers must ensure legal compliance by understanding and abiding by these rules, which may involve using automated systems to handle guest registration, tax collection, and adhering to local regulations to avoid fines and safeguard their business's reputation.

📌 The International Driving Permit 'Geneva Convention 1949' is often required for driving in many non-EU countries, including Japan and Thailand. In the USA, it's not needed with a regular Italian license unless for long stays or non-tourist situations. Before traveling, checking the destination country's requirements on viaggiaresicuri.it is advised. Applications for the permit can be made at the Provincial Office of Motor Vehicles or via an auto practice agency, with necessary documentation including the TT 746 form, PagoPA payment, authenticated photo, and photocopies of the Italian license, tax code, and ID card. The permit is valid for one year.

🍷 Italian wine exports to non-EU countries remained positive in the first half of 2024 with nearly 4.7 million hectoliters shipped from January to June, totaling 2.1 billion euros in value. Despite a slowdown and a challenging June, with sparkling and still/frizzante wines seeing a -10% volume and -7% value year-over-year change, and a -13.5% decrease for the latter category, the overall growth for the semester was recorded at +6.3% in volume and +4.7% in value. The top 12 non-EU countries, except for South Korea, Mexico, and Australia, showed declining orders in the last month, with still and frizzante wines closing the semester at +4.4% in volume compared to +8.5% just 30 days prior, and values dropping from +6% to +3.5%. Sparkling wines experienced a less pronounced contraction, from +18% to +14.5% in volume and from +12.3% to +9.3% in value. The average price saw a -1.5% trend for the semester. Notable decreases came from Russia (-25%) and Japan (-10%), while the US showed fatigue with -4.8% in volume but a +1% increase in value.

💼 In Boccioleto (VC), a notice for a school cafeteria meal supply contract for the 2024-2027 period has been published on acquistinretepa.it, with an extension option for two additional years. The contract includes the provision of an estimated 20 meals daily for Boccioleto school students, addressing procurement, preparation, packaging, transportation, and delivery. Clarification requests must be submitted by 12 PM on 16/09/2024, and offer submissions by 1 PM on the same day.

☕ Fipe reports espresso prices in Italy rose 13% from July 2021 to July 2024, below the 16% inflation rate. Climatic crisis, geopolitical tensions, and increased maritime freight rates have led to over 60% Arabica and 90% Robusta price hikes at commodity exchanges in London and New York. Mps notes coffee at two-year highs, with Arabica up 2.5% in a day, affected by Brazil's dry climate affecting crops. Despite cost pressures, Italian public establishments strive to keep coffee affordable, maintaining its symbolic social value.

📌 Sirtori, located in the province of Lecco, Italy, has initiated a leasing process for commercial use of the bar inside the "E. Bearzot" Municipal Sports Center. The property features a beverage and food service area, a kitchen, a changing room with sanitary facilities for staff, three guest bathrooms (one accessible), and an adjoining outdoor area. The commercial lease will last 6 years with the option to extend for another 6 years. For complete tender documents, visit Horecanews.it, which provides daily news on the HORECA sector and more.

🍕 In 2022, Italy conducted 142,662 inspections on recognized operators and 284,375 on registered establishments, with non-conformities found in 6,685 and 32,492 respectively, leading to 8,216 administrative and 68 judicial actions for the former, and 45,265 administrative and 430 judicial actions for the latter. Italy also carried out 46,974 analytical controls on food and drinks with 0.33% irregularities, and 33,036 samples for microbial contamination showed 3% non-conformities. Imports from third countries decreased by 2.2% for animal products and feed, and by 24.3% for plant-based ones, with 0.4% of imports rejected. There were 2,691 checks on phytosanitary products with 7.5% non-conformities, and the organic sector had 6,819 inspections leading to 28 criminal charges. Additionally, 189,587 DOP, IGP, and traditional specialty operators were inspected, with 50,017 found non-conforming. Non-conformities in animal welfare during transport were found in 330 cases out of 10,542 inspections. In the animal registry area, 934,887 animals were checked and 2,255 companies had at least one non-conformity.

🍪 The Italian State Council's ruling (n. 06670/2024) annulled the Genealogical Book of the "Bufala Mediterranea Italiana" breed, impacting the Campania dairy sector and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Dop production. Coldiretti Campania alerts farmers and dairies to comply with new regulations to ensure milk eligibility for the renowned cheese. The decision enforces the need for a single, recognized certification.

📰 Federalberghi proposes a cost-neutral reform of the Rai special fee, aiming for a fairer distribution where more participants pay but each pays less. The special fee revenue was €61 million in 2010, rising to €79 million in 2023. Despite over 480,000 short-term rental properties in Italy with TVs, only 88,000 (18.3%) comply with the fee. Research by Inside Airbnb and Incipit Consulting in August 2024 shows widespread noncompliance. Federalberghi suggests using evasion combat funds to reduce fees for all payers, including traditional tourism businesses and compliant new hospitality providers.