Tourism, Minister Mazzi: «Italy surpasses Spain and is first in the EU for overnight stays»

Despite a value of over 240 billion euros for Italy alone, tourism does not enjoy adequate consideration, especially in Europe. This is demonstrated by the absence of "a dedicated chapter in the EU budget". For this reason, says Tourism Minister Gianmarco Mazzi, "let's start writing a manifesto for the future" that recognizes the sector for what it is: an industry. A system which, after Covid, is running at full capacity, achieving important objectives: the latest, which Mazzi underlines in this interview, is Italy overtaking Spain in terms of number of overnight stays which brings our country to first place in the EU.

Minister, today we celebrate World Tourism Day: you had planned an event in Rome with operators called to respond to the suggestion: "Because tourism is an industry". You said that you will fight for the sector to be included among the strategic ones. What does he mean?

As a sign of respect for the tragic death of Andrea Moretti, the 22-year-old worker who fell from the Colosseum, we have decided to move the event to 17 or 18 October. The suggestion of the proposed title is an intentionally dry response to all those who, when dealing with tourism, always ask a thousand questions and do not give the consideration it deserves, especially in Europe. In those parts, tourism is often underestimated and this is a mistake because the contribution it brings to the national accounts is decisive. The University of Tor Vergata speaks of an economic impact for Italy of between 13 and 18% of GDP, with a value of over 240 billion euros between direct, indirect and induced. Yet, in the narrative, tourism continues to be treated as a beautiful season, a sector, a Cinderella. And here the European theme opens. Today in Brussels tourism does not have the right weight. It does not have a dedicated chapter in the Union Budget. It's paradoxical because with tourism you actually "eat". This is why we are starting to write a manifesto for the future and demanding more attention from Europe.

Businesses are calling for simplification measures.

We are ready. We work following the demands of the industry. Our objectives to guarantee competitiveness are: agile administration, certain times and rapid procedures. This government has already invested in important simplification measures for the sector and within this year we hope to complete the work with a package of measures for other branches of the sector. We will present it at the first opportunity.