The government’s new budget increases the tourist tax and short-term rental levy, hurting small operators and local economies.
A strategic sector at risk
The 2025 budget law fails to address the needs of Italian tourism, which contributes nearly 11% to the national GDPand generates over €237 billion in economic value.
According to Unimpresa, the government’s measures are inadequate and partly harmful, risking to slow down growth and job creation.
Tourist tax up by 30%
One of the most criticized measures is the 30% increase in the tourist tax, resulting in an estimated additional cost of €300 million and bringing total revenue to over €1 billion per year.
Of this amount, 30% will be withheld by the central government, reducing funds available to local municipalities.
“A paradox,” says Unimpresa, “as a tax originally meant to support infrastructure and local promotion ends up draining resources from territories.”
Short-term rental tax raised to 26%
Another critical issue is the increase in the flat tax on short-term rentals from 21% to 26%, penalizing small landlords and families managing holiday homes and B&Bs.
According to Unimpresa’s Research Center, this could lead to a 10–15% reduction in national tourism supply, particularly affecting small towns and rural areas, where tourism plays a vital economic and social role.
Public investments still too low
The government plans to allocate €340 million for 2025 and €777.5 million over several years, targeting measures such as tax relief on tips and night shifts, development contracts, and promotion of major events.
However, these figures are modest compared to the sector’s value, with public investment remaining below 1% of tourism’s total output, far from sufficient to foster innovation, digitalization, and sustainability.
“A long-term vision is needed”
“The government seems more focused on tax collection than on investment,” comments Marco Salustri, national councillor of Unimpresa.
“Tourism must not be treated as a fiscal reservoir, but as a strategic driver of development and employment. Italy needs long-term structural policies and adequate resources to sustain a sector that is essential to its economy and identity.”