Tourist tax: Usot asks to allocate it to the tourism sector. Gatti assures: “We will”
Usot on the barricades for thetourist tax which will start, in the Republic, from 1st July. The tax itself is not disputed, “We have always been in favor”, clarifies in a note. But he wonders to allocate the proceeds to improve the quality of the tourist offer. For the operators, before the tourist tax, they are gone prepared a standard that governed the suit modernization of the hospitality sector. Request sent in February to the Government, with whom – they complain – there was, however, no confrontation.
Hence the request that the tax revenue be destined exclusively to the financing of tourist interventions, in support of the country’s accommodation and promotion structures. In particular, at least 50% – writes Usot – must be users (in synergy with the most representative Employer Associations) for events and promotion of the territorywhile the remaining 50% for improvements that have repercussions on the tourism and economic sector of the country.
The fear is that the proceeds are instead used for the current expensefor non-interest-bearing situations o to maintain privileges no longer acceptable. The operational aspect should not be overlooked: for the tourist tax – Usot points out – a gestation time was needed. “It is a complicated process” – explains Vice President Riccardo Vannucci. For example it required the software renewal for the management of attendance by public tender. For the safety law – remember – all those staying in San Marino must be counted, therefore also guests of farmhouses, B & Bs, residences, landlords. “Things done in a hurry are bad” – he warns – and in the absence of a precise census “to pay – he says – will be only the hotels”.
On the other hand, with regard to the main request, namely the destination of the tourist tax, the Finance Secretary Marco Gatti ensures: “If this is their will, those revenues will go to the tourism sector.”