Giuridico e Amministrativo

🏖 Gabriele Burgio, President of Alpitour World, targets a complete transformation of the company within two years, leveraging technological advancements. In 2024, despite negative factors such as Gaza conflicts, dollar uncertainty, high fuel costs, and inflation, Alpitour sees a shift from the "madness of 2023". With 90% foreign customers in luxury segments, they plan expansions in Colombia's Cartagena and the Dominican Republic, facilitated by a proactive government. A long-term project is underway in Southern Madagascar. Currently, Alpitour's VRetreats brand aims to grow from 8 to 12 hotels, with two more purchases pending.

💰 The Italian National Identification Code (Cin) for short-term rentals will be mandatory in 3 weeks. Minister Daniela Santanchè aims to unify 21 regional and provincial systems with Cin, which has been experimentally active since June in Puglia, Veneto, Abruzzo, Calabria, Lombardia, Marche, Sicily, Sardinia, Liguria, and Molise. By September 1st, all regions will join, with two months' grace before enforcement. From January 2025, tax and finance authorities will impose fines up to €8,000 for non-compliance. Landlords must display Cin on listings; platforms like Booking and Airbnb won't feature properties without it.

💰 Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, addresses the controversy regarding changes in the tourist tax. Council of Ministers to discuss new regulations on August 7. All municipalities could apply the tax, potentially up to €25 per night depending on hotel cost. Hotel associations express concern over potential loss of international competitiveness. Discussions with industry stakeholders to continue in September.

🚩 Maria Carmela Colaiacovo, president of the Associazione Italiana di Confindustria Alberghi, expresses concern over potential changes to the tourist tax, warning it could harm the competitiveness of businesses and territories. She highlights the risk of misusing funds intended for tourism support and promotion, and fears increased taxation could contradict efforts to distribute tourist flows more evenly. The hospitality sector's vital contribution to Italy's economy, especially with international travelers post-Covid, necessitates careful policy to maintain competitiveness.

💰 Federalberghi opposes the government proposal for nationwide application of the tourist tax, currently limited to provincial capitals, union of municipalities, and tourist towns, with a possible tax increase. The federation highlights the sector's significant contributions to GDP and employment growth, having recently renewed the National Collective Labor Agreement, incurring substantial costs. They recall a recent 40% increase in the maximum tourist tax, from €5 to €7 per night per person, and suggest creating a national fund to permanently support the refurbishment of tourism businesses, funded by a portion of the tourist tax.

💸 On July 19, Delta Air Lines faced a global IT systems outage causing massive disruptions to air traffic, with a potential cost of $500 million. CEO Ed Bastian disclosed that the economic damage from flight cancellations, which persisted for days due to the CrowStrike bug, amounted to "tens of millions of dollars a day" for refunds and hotels. Over 5,000 flights were cancelled over a five-day period, exacerbating the situation with additional staff scheduling issues. The company now handles thousands of compensation claims.

🚨 Renato Schifani, President of the Sicily Region, disputes media terrorism by foreign newspapers regarding Sicily's drought. Claims of tourist exodus due to water scarcity are "patently false," Schifani states, citing an interview with ilgiornale.it. Conversely, Nicola Farruggio, Vice President of Federalberghi Sicilia, reports a healthy tourism sector. Despite real drought concerns, travel figures have slightly increased from 2023, and Schifani assures tourists can visit Sicily without water availability worries.

📌 Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) of Spain confirmed a fine against Booking.com for abuse of dominant position and violating European competition regulations in July. Originally fined €486 million, the penalty was reduced to €413 million after an appeal by the company. Booking.com expresses strong disagreement with the decision and plans to appeal, arguing that the Digital Market Act of the EU is a more appropriate context for such discussions. 📉

🛂 Turismosicuro, launched by Aeo Associazione Europea Ospitalità and Abbac, aims to protect travelers from scams and phantom vacation homes. The platform, featuring only verified accommodations with regional and national IDs, facilitates direct communication between guests and hosts. Agostino Ingenito, Aeo Abbac coordinator, emphasizes its role in safeguarding travelers by eliminating intermediaries and preventing fraud. The service aligns with the European DAC7 directive, offering veracity in listings without brokering deals, and provides insurance coverage for registered managers.

🏖️ Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, encompassing Chamonix, Les Houches, Vallorcine, and Servoz, implements rental restrictions to curb price surges and promote permanent housing. Effective from May 1, 2025, the council voted unanimously for the measure, marking the first mountain area in France to limit tourist rentals for year-round accommodation. Owners must obtain a registration and authorization for short-term rentals, limited to one property in Chamonix and Les Houches and two in Servoz. Initially targeting individuals, with corporate measures to follow. Mayor Eric Fournier cites urgent rebalancing of housing as the driving force behind the initiative.