Summer 2020: what will become of summer holidays for Italians?

Summer 2020 looks set to be one of the most complicated and unique in recent history due to the coronavirus emergency in Italy and across the world. However, the government's stated intention is not to prevent holidays for residents in Italy, above all to help the tourism sector.

As things stand at the moment, all indications that are emerging tend to the reality that holidays will take place, but as it is easy to imagine, they will be very different from what we were used to. At the beach, for example, minimum distances between sunbeds and parasols will have to be guaranteed. Social distancing will have to be obeyed, even at the beach, and for this reason, the introduction of time slots to stagger entrances to the beach could be a valid option.

Due to the difficulty of management, many Italians may howevr prefer other solutions to the sea and the beach. The search for villas and cottages with swimming pools, perhaps to rent with close friends or family, has been registering a recent boom. Others, on the other hand, may focus on hotels equipped not only with a swimming pool, but also with wellness centers that are able to ensure maximum safety.

It is precisely on the hotel industry that the government intends to focus, to help the recovery of a sector among the most affected by the crisis. Federalberghi, the trade association representing the interests of hotel companies in Italy, has estimated the loss of over 80% of the market and 40 million stays. For this reason, the federation wants to focus on flexibility, guaranteeing guests the certainty that, in the event of problems linked to the pandemic, it will be possible to postpone dates or obtrain a refund or voucher.

However, the crisis could put the holidays of Italians at risk, who in many cases have seen their savings dry up due to the coronavirus emergency. For this reason rumours have been circulating, and haven't been denied, of a holiday bonus to encourage travel within the Italian territory. Initially, the amount was reumoured to be 500 euros but reports are as yet unconfirmed.

Now that the coronavirus recovery is taking shape, including plans for the tourism sector, the executive is orienting itself on the formula of a tax deduction, which provides for the deduction from the declaration of a maximum amount of 325 euros for stays of at least 3 nights in Italian accommdation, a benefit reserved for employees who have an income between 7,500 and 26,000 euros.

In the meantime, the MP for Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism (MiBACT), Dario Franceschini, stated the following regarding the initiatives of MiBACT to counter the COVID-19 emergency: "I asked the scientific technical committee to give some indications to allow the reopening: they will answer me within the week and according to this we will act, as soon as possible".

The MP also suggests that the holidays will take place: "We will have to keep our distance, use masks, carry out sanitisation, but the holidays can take place. This is also why we are urging the European authorities to have common European rules and avoid the risk of bilateral agreements between countries, because we have seen that the epidemic knows no borders".