Sassari Direct incentives for travellers, discounts on overnight stays, bonuses for cultural experiences, but also a boost to domestic tourism. The map of institutional proposals to attract flows of tourists is very varied and does not always herald great results. Sometimes it can become a boomerang.
The Sicily flop The basic idea was good, but for a law that actually gives away a lot of money it is to be expected that the deception will soon be found in Italy. The other large island of our country soon verified this, at his expense. Between 2022 and 2023 the Sicilian Region had allocated a fund of 75 million euros for the See Sicily project, an initiative to support tourism: with those funds the Region itself purchased services from the main operators in the island’s tourism chain, especially overnight stays but also tours, excursions and entrances to museums and art places. For every 3-night stay, one was given as a gift, for a 6-night holiday, each tourist would have 2 as a gift from the Region. Through See Sicily a discount equal to half the cost of the ticket for national and international connecting flights was also given, as well as ferries, ships and hydrofoils to the smaller islands. All good, or almost, in theory. But in practice it went differently. Against an expense of 75 million euros, expenses for less than half, 33.5 million, were reported. Not only that: the Court of Auditors has opened a file for an alleged hole of 10 million euros (out of 33.5 certified): the figure corresponds to the total of the corrected and therefore ineligible expenses.
The Balearic model In Spain the much vaunted “Balearic model” works so well that initiatives are now underway which aim to limit the arrival of tourists and promote a sustainable type of tourism. The key to success is simple: with public funds the costs of airline tickets are reduced by up to 75%, both for residents and for Spanish citizens and residents in the EU, but the peculiarity lies in the fact that the reimbursement goes directly to the traveler and does not pass through the companies. Other types of guarantees then lead to the creation of cartels between companies to raise prices.
Other experience Covid has changed the cards on the table for everyone and so various types of initiatives have emerged for the tourism relaunch. The Piedmont Voucher, launched with a loan of 5 million, provides that for a 4-night stay, the guest pays only two: one night is offered by the Region and one by the accommodation facility. The Voucher also allows you to take advantage of a 50% discount on the sales price of tourist packages and services. The choice of Friuli Venezia Giulia is particular, which with the “TUReSTA in FVG” voucher, aimed at residents in the region, encourages internal tourism and provides further rewards for those who choose disadvantaged areas.
