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Italy: Alitalia Strike Canceled; New Tax on Tourists; Venice Losing Population

No Comments | October 3rd, 2006 | Trackback

A 24-hour strike planned by Alitalia workers for Oct. 9 was canceled. In recent weeks, strikes have forced cancellation of dozens of flights, and in response, the government vowed to present a new business plan for Alitalia by the end of the year. In other news, Prime Minister Romano Prodi has proposed allowing cities and towns to levy a $6.30 per day accommodations tax on tourists. Authorities could allow exemptions for places like youth hostels, and the money would have to be spent on tourism structures and services. Officials in Rome, Florence and Venice are considering imposing the tax, while those in Naples thus far are not. Venice has other issues to consider, including its vanishing population. In the last 50 years the number of residents has dropped by almost two-thirds and is now at about 62,000, “the point of collapse,” according to a Venetian urban planner. Conversely, at least 15 million tourists came to Venice in the past year.