The tourist tax is worth 472 million in 2022, + 79.5% on 2021

The very strong recovery of tourist flows in Italy, more evident than ever in these days of August 15th, brings new life into the coffers of local administrations also thanks to the tourist tax.

To make the accounts - in a research that ANSA publishes in preview - is the National Observatory of Jfc on this tax that is paid in almost 970 Municipalities: in 2020 the total collection was 192 million euros and in 2021 of 263 million, a real drop compared to 622 million in 2019, the last pre-pandemic year.

For 2022, on the other hand, receipts of 472 million are expected, equal to + 79.5% compared to the previous year.

"We must also not forget - explains Massimo Feruzzi, sole director of Jfc and head of the Observatory - that the government has set up a fund of 350 million for the partial reimbursement of the missed collections of the tourist tax and disembarkation tax, and that has already paid municipalities 75 million for these lower collections (of which 21.9 million went to Roma Capitale, 8.4 million in Milan, 5.8 million in Florence and 5.2 million in Venice), and that a further 75 millions will soon be distributed among all the municipalities, except those of the province of Trento ".

Various municipal administrations are introducing the tourist tax this year - for the first time.

From January it is paid in Cremona while in Reggio Emilia it came into force in February;

from June you pay in Tuglie and Selvino,

from July to Pollica and Alliste, from August to Massarosa, Gizzeria and Ivrea, tourists will start paying for it in September, and in Capo d'Orlando from October.

Meanwhile, it is also being discussed in Sulmona, Scansano and in other 28 municipalities.

In Bressanone, the tax increase is expected from 1 January 2024.

There are many localities that have decided to adjust - growing - rates, such as Massa Marittima, Porto Cesareo and San Zeno di Montagna, Castellamare del Golfo, Alghero and Bergeggi (from October), or to extend the period of application: in Lovere la tax will have to be paid for 9 months and no more 7. You will pay more to stay also in Mazara del Vallo, Bassano del Grappa and Recanati.

Then there are Municipalities that, after a phase of suspension, have opted for the restoration of the tax: this is the case, for example, of Sarnico, where the tax was suspended in 2014. On the contrary, it should be noted that Forte dei Marmi has decided not to reintroduce the tax in the summer of 2022, while Novi Ligure has definitively abolished it.

In Spoleto the Municipality has decided to reduce it.

In Venice, where for some time there has been a debate over an access fee for day users,

"However - adds Feruzzi - the use of the proceeds of the tourist tax continues in a way that does not perfectly comply with the legislation: in Villasimius, for example, stray cats will be sterilized with the proceeds of the tax. Or we are witnessing proposals to say the least bizarre, like that of the Trentino breeders who ask that part of the tax be allocated to the stables to help solve the problems of local animal husbandry ".

Finally, there is the broad question of short-term rentals.

"Many municipal administrations - says Feruzzi - have signed an agreement with Airbnb in the hope of also being able to collect the tax from tourists who stay at the hosts but some disputes are opening up regarding the impossibility of carrying out checks by the Municipalities".