Tourism news

THE NEW BOARD OF THE NATIONAL BODY OF TOURISM

A COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR THE ANCIENT ROUTE CLAUDIA AUGUSTA

FEDERALBERGHI AND FAI TOGETHER IN LOVE ITALY

THE GROSSETO PROVINCE - MORE TOURISTS FROM EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND OCEANIA

PIEDMONT - JUNE 20 AND 27 CASCINE IN LANGA

NEW PROFESSIONAL TOURIST FIGURES

ITALIAN SMALL ISLES

TELEFONO BLU VIAGGI FOR SKIERS

SARDINIA - ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM

CESARE - A FREE OF CHARGE NUMBER FOR TOURISTS

TOURIST MOVEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA

MORE TOURISTS IN MOUNTAIN RESORTS

MORE AND MORE SERVICES FOR SKIERS

ALITALIA AND KLM PARTNERSHIP

RIMINI- "S.I.A: '98"

ASSOTURISMO- THE EXTENSION OF THE HIGH SEASON

CAGLIARI- THIRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON " TOURISM AND CULTURE"

CAMPING AND TOURIST VILLAGES

GENOA - THE FAIR OF THE SCHOOL TOURISM

ITALY: LAST IN THE LIST FOR YOUTH HOSTELS

OVER 39 MILLION TOURISTS IN EMILIA ROMAGNA TURIN- THE SECOND EDITION OF THE "ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FAIR"

GENOA- THE INTERNATIONAL NAUTICAL SHOW

VERONA- BUS TOURISM

OVER 10,000 CALLS TO COMPLAIN ON TOURIST SERVICES

B&B: MORE AND MORE APPLICATIONS

PARMA- MONDO NATURA

AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON ITALY

AN ANALYSIS ON ITALIAN CITIES

OVER ONE THIRD OF THE HOTELS ACCEPT PETS

FORCHETTA E VALIGIA BLU FOR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

RIMINI - SPECIAL OFFERS FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS

LAW NO.488 FOR TOURISM

A LABEL EURO TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS

TOURISM COMPETITIVITY IN EUROPE

RIMINI- INFORMATURISTA

THE LITERARY PARKS

FASTER FERRYBOATS TO SARDINIA

BED AND BREAKFAST FOR THE JUBILEE

EURO AND HOTEL ACTIVITY

THE CTS OFFER

VACANZE PER TUTTI: TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE TOURIST SECTOR

A GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE IN THE YOUTH HOSTELS.

THE MARCHE REGION - THE WIDESPREAD MUSEUM

NEW LAWS ON CULTURE IN THE FOUR PROVINCES OF THE MARCHE REGION

PROMOTING ITALIAN ART CITIES

MASTER IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT

8 NEW TOURIST INFORMATION DESKS IN ROME

GERMANY- ENIT SPECIAL INITIATIVE

A CARD TO VISIT 17 MUSEUMS IN TURIN

MARANELLO- THE CARETAKER OF FERRARI MYTH

ACI- INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO TRAVEL ABROAD

EUGANEI HILLS IN VENETO

ASSISI- LORETO-PADUA TOWARDS THE JUBILEE

MARCHE: MANY CULTURAL PROJECTS FOR 2000

MANY CALLS FOR THE HOLIDAY S.O.S

ENIT OFFICES ABROAD: NOW IN CHINA, KOREA, AUSTRALIA AND BRAZIL

VALIGIA BLU STANDARD AT NATIONAL LEVEL

EMILIA ROMAGNA: THE BOOM OF MINI PARKS

ROUTE FOR 2000: FROM ROME TO UMBRIA AND TUSCANY

NEW INTEREST IN THE FRANCIGENA ROUTE FOR THE JUBILEE

FREE TRAINS TO CAMPANIA AND CALABRIA

WATER FESTIVAL IN LAINATE AT THE VILLA NITTA NYMPHAEUM

SARDINIA - ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM

THE NEW BOARD OF THE NATIONAL BODY OF TOURISM

The National Body of Tourism has a new board. The new president of the board is Amedeo Ottaviani, the councellors are Claudio Albonetti (the National President of Assohotel), Carlo Arcolao (Head of the Liguria Region), Pierluigi Bolla (Head of the Tourist Department of theVeneto region), Andrea Giannetti ( the Assotravel President), Paolo Gualtiero Provasoli ( Confcommercio), Stefano Zoccali (Head of the production activities of the Basilicata Region).

Enit, said Mr.Ottaviano,has a key role not only for the Jubilee but also in the promotion of Italian cities. In this connection it is important to cooperate with the Tourist Department of the Prime Ministry to work out strategies to promote Italy abroad. (Italian Network)

A COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR THE ANCIENT ROUTE CLAUDIA AUGUSTA

Thanks to a contribution of the European community, the Veneto Region has started a promotion plan of the Claudia Augusta Transnational Route.
The scope of this initiative is to enhance this area (from Altino to Augusta including the Tirolo and Baviera districts and Ostiglia) in order to create a new link between the Latin and German world.
The original route, from the Adige river to the Danube river going through Treviso, Verona, Feltre, Trento, Rabiat and Augusta, was started in 46 BC by the Emperor Claudius and many fortresses were built along it. The initiative will create many work opportunities and it will be the launching pad of many tourist events.(Italian Network)

FEDERALBERGHI AND FAI TOGETHER IN LOVE ITALY

dd>Federalberghi and FAI (Fondo Italiano per l'ambiente) have started an interesting initiative for this summer ," Love Italy", to enhance historical sites and environment.

Federalberghi which numbers the 20 most luxurious hotels in Italy, is collecting funds in favor of the natural heritage protected by the FAI.
Hotels participating in this initiative are located all over Italy ( art cities, sea, mountain and lake resorts).(Italian Network)

THE GROSSETO PROVINCE - MORE TOURISTS FROM EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND OCEANIA

The area of Grosseto registered an increase in the number of tourists in 1998 mainly from Europe, North America and Oceania. Tourist farms are doing better and better (+24%), sea resorts, however, are still the favourite destinations (+3.9%). The global number of tourists in Maremma 719,000 (+ 19,000 as compared to the previous year) and the most significant increase is due to foreigners (they are 174,000; +12,000, +2.5%).
As concerns Italian tourists they increased only by 1.3%. Foreign tourists usually stay eight days in hotels, or nine days if they stay in apartments, campings, tourist farms where as Italian tourists usually spent there three days. (Italian Network)

27 TOURIST INFORMATION DESKS IN SOUTHERN ITALY

27 tourist information desks in Sicily, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Campania, Molise, Abruzzo and Sardinia. They will be located in strategic places (airports, railway stations, ports, highway tollhouses).
The initiative, called Tourpass: l'assistenza al turista, has been started in cooperation with the Tourist Department of the Prime Ministry and it has been co-financed by the European Social Fund.
In addition the association Turismo per tutti will support tourists who need specific assistance (handicapped people, pilgrims, youths, students, elderly people).
A significant initiative for Southern Italy which will offer tourists assistance and information on cultural events, hotel rooms, transport during their stay. (Italian Network)

PIEDMONT - JUNE 20 AND 27 CASCINE IN LANGA

This year, too, the Piedmont Region, the province and the municipality of Cuneo, and the associations of the Langhe are organizing the initiative Cascine in Langhe to promote this area and its products. The event, on June 20 and 27, is taking place in 10 fascinating farms where farmers will present their products and supply information on production techniques.
The initiative represents also an opportunity to better know country life and animals (according to a recent Doxa survey, in fact, 30% of the Italian kids has never seen a sheep).
Farms, in the Roero area, taking part in this initiative are: Cascina Serralunga at Baldissiero d'Alba, at Baudevin Castagnito, at Cravanzola, at Castellinaldo, Cascina Italia at Coresole d'Alba, Cascina Antico Pedaggio at Guarene, Azienda Calorio at Montà, Azienda Roagna at Priocca, Cascina Bricco del Prete again at Priocca, Cascina Il Campanile at Sommariva, Azienda Pioiero at Vezza d'Alba.

Further information: Turismo in Langa: Via Cavour, 16 - Alba - ph. ++ 39 01731364030 - Fax 0 1731293143; e-mail: staff@turisrnoinlanga-it. (Italian Network)

NEW PROFESSIONAL TOURIST FIGURES

The scope of Programma Operativo Multiregionale for tourism is to reorganize the tourist system in Southern Italy to promote the economic development.
In this sector the growth of employment rate is strictly connected to the quality of services which depends on the preparation of the staff and people and bodies working in this sector.
And the program wants to better qualify these bodies to allow them to offer better services through training courses for museum operators, escorts and mainly for tourist guides.

ITALIAN SMALL ISLES

The Italian small isles are extremely appreciated by tourists but only for a limited time during the year. The scope of the program Valorizzazione delle risorse turistiche is to enhance the cultural heritage, the history and the artistic beauties of these small isles in order to draw more visitors, not only in summer time. The program should not only promote quality tourism but the economic development, too, in harmony with the delicate environment of these isles.

The program concerns Ischia, Procida (tourist services and environment initiatives), Capri (city planning and tourist centers), the Tremiti isles (arrangement of some rock caves, an information system and a tourist center), and also some little isles in Sardinia such as Maddalena (restoration of some historical buildings), San Pietro (a sea museum), Sant'Antioco (historical and cultural itineraries).

In Sicily interventions concern the Egadi Isles, Pantelleria and Lampedusa. A number of projects have also been worked out by the municipalities of the Lipari Isles where a Service Center and a Cultural Center will be set up.

TELEFONO BLU VIAGGI FOR SKIERS

Through Mid-March, tourists having a vacation in Italian mountain resorts can call the Telefono -blu Viaggi to express their opinions or report their problems on services, hotels, ski pass, parking.
This sector is registering a boom and many mountain resorts are not equipped to receive thousand of tourists. Telefono-blu Viaggi helps tourists and collects proposals to improve services (ph.and fax ++39 051 440055; e-mail telblu@iperbole.bologna.it.).

SARDINIA - ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURISM

The significant archaeological heritage of Sardinia has never been properly enhanced from a tourist point of view. The Sardinian beautiful coasts, in fact, overshadowed the other opportunities Sardinia can offer to visitors. And the scope of the Programma Operativo Multiregionale per il Turismo is to enhance cultural tourism and mainly the archaeological areas of this region.

The program includes 21 projects, for a global investment of 15 billion lire, carried on the administrations where these sites are. The most significant site is the necropolis of Tuvixeddu, located in the heart of Cagliari, which has been neglected for years.

Noteworthy also the archaeological area in Tharros ( near Oristano), Monte Luna ( near Cagliari), Monte Sirai (Carbonia) and Nora (Pula).

CESARE - A FREE OF CHARGE NUMBER FOR TOURISTS

167-163.163 that is to say Cesare: a free of charge service offered by the Las Vegas Business Center which supplies news and information to make the most of Rome.
Operators will answer, in many languages, to all kind of questions: culture, sport, churches, religious events and they will also help tourists in case of accidents by telling them which procedures have to be followed.
The center will also be equipped with a databank which will be regularly updated.

TOURIST MOVEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA

According to a research carried out by Cestud, Centro Studi per il Mediterraneo, the Mediterranean area has the highest number of tourists in the world.
The research stressed the significant differences between the Southern and Eastern areas and the Northern areas as concern structures, technological and telematic innovation, quality/price ratio, pollution of the sea.

Despite these problems, tourism is the common denominator of the Mediterranean area which, unfortunately, is neither an industry nor its economy. Nevertheless, there are factors and resources which could transform this area into a new pole of the world development.
From 1990 to 1996, according to the OMS data, the number of tourists has increased from 154.5 million to 170 million and currency revenues passed from 75 to 110.5 billion dollars.

MORE TOURISTS IN MOUNTAIN RESORTS

2,200 billion lire: this is the supposed amount of the expenses according to two surveys carried out by Ferderalberghi ( the federation numbering 32,000 hotels in Italy), ACNielsen C.R.A. and Trademark.
The surveys have taken into consideration tourists of age ( the first survery) and tourist operators and tourists spending their vacations in mountain resorts ( the second one).
According to the ACNielsen survey, 2.5 million of Italians have a vacation at Christmas ( 2.8 million in 1997) and 3.5 million will leave for New Year's Eve ( 2.7 million in 1997).

Their vacations will last 4/5 days and 6/7 days for those who go to the mountain.
There will be, therefore, an increase in the expenses. 85% of the Italians, however, will not be staying in hotel: they will be at their relatives or friends' house or they will be renting a house.

Hotel prices have increased and, in the first 10 months in 1998, 10,000 hotels in mountain resorts have already registered a drop by 1.6%.

MORE AND MORE SERVICES FOR SKIERS

It is estimated that in Italy 3,800 people go skiing, but their approach towards this kind of vacation has changed: no more than two-three days.
As a consequence, operators are trying to offer more and more services for skiers and their families. Prices, however have increased mainly in the most fashionable resorts ( Madonna di Campiglio, Cervinia, Livigno, Val Badia, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio, Courmayer, Val Gardena which have registered, nevertheless, a higher number of tourists)

The regions with the highest number of skiers are Trentino, Veneto, Valle d'Aosta (70% of the Italian tourists). Some regions are trying to keep prices down such as Valle d'Aosta, Alto Adige, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Piedmont and Lombardy ( these last three regions are the less expensive).

The average price of a three star hotel, half bard, in a double room, is 95,000 lire in low season and 121,000 lire in high season.
As concerns ski-pass, in 1997, 110,565,757 of them have been sold ( +20.1%) at the price of 45,000-48,000 lire a day.
The average cost of a week in a mountain resort is 719,000 lire all included.

ALITALIA AND KLM PARTNERSHIP

Alitalia and KLM have recently signed a partnership agreement in Amsterdam. An alliance which has a particular meaning for Alitalia: a 28 million dollar increase of the turnover (15 million per year through the Australian and South African route, 3 million dollars in the first 5 months through Europen routes and 10 million dollars, again in the first 5 months, through cargo) and one million of new passengers.

By next March, Alitalia will sign an agreement with Northwest, the American airline which is a partner of KLM for the North Atlantic market (an initiative which will have no effect on the agreement between Alitalia and Continental).

RIMINI- "S.I.A: '98"< /h3>

"Global quality" was the main topic of the "S.I.A. '98" ( Salone Internazionale dell'attrezzatura alberghiera): an important appointment for hotel and restaurant managers organized by Fiera di Rimini (November 28-December 2).
The forty-eight edition of "S.I.A." also gathered the most important Italian builders of restaurants and hotels who are more and more aware of the importance of offering high quality services to tourists. 14,000 square meters of new proposals and , in addition, seminars on hotel management and updating courses.

And the best Italian hotel keeper was awarded with "Premio Hotel of the year".
More than 35,000 operators from all over the world participated in last year's edition.

ASSOTURISMO- THE EXTENSION OF THE HIGH SEASON

From September 28 through October 5, Istat has indicated a drop in arrivals (0.95) and an increase in the number of foreign tourists (+2.6%). This trend had already been underlined by Assoturismo -Confesercenti, which in September had noted a slow but steady increase in the number of foreign tourists in many regions who are more and more interested in having vacations in Italy in low season. Increases registered in Italy are lower than those referring to France and we cannot forget that the Italian quota in the international tourist market is decreasing. Further efforts must be undertaken to promote Italy abroad also through Enit.
And in this connection, it is important to extend the high season by promoting also congress tourism.

CAGLIARI- THIRD INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON " TOURISM AND CULTURE"

Art cities and museums register an increasing number of visitors. The quality of services, management and protection of environment and culture should, however, be improved. And new strategies should be worked out in this connection.
This is the topic of the "Third International Meeting on the management of culture" promoted by DRI which will be held in Cagliari from December 4 through 8 at Palazzo Viceregio.

Prospects ( also in terms of employment) offered by our cultural heritage will be examined together with the necessary investments and innovative projects and experiences.

CAMPING AND TOURIST VILLAGES

According to the FAITA observatory ( Federazione delle Associazioni Italiane dei Complessi Turistico Ricettivi dell'Aria Aperta), in 1998, the number of tourists in villages and campings increased by 1.5% ( more than 57 million tourists) also thanks to the good quality of the services ( Italian campings and villages are considered the best in the Mediterranean area).
Data, however, differ according to the region.

Sea resorts registered a 1.5% increase and the trend was good for art cities and tourist farms. On the contrary the situation is stable for mountain resorts.
Foreign tourists increased by 2%. At the top of list, Germans ( 70%) followed by Austrian, Dutch, Swiss and Danish tourists. The region which registered the highest increase was Puglia ( +20%).
The data show the growing importance of this sector whose turnover represents 10% of the whole tourist sector.

GENOA - THE FAIR OF THE SCHOOL TOURISM

Italian and foreign tourist operators, schools, public and private institutions will meet again in Genoa from November 26 through 28, on occasion of the second edition of the "Fair of the School Tourism".
The sector of school tourism bills 4,000 billion lire and it is steadily growing.

This year, the Fair includes a workshop for Italian and foreign operators interested in buying or selling services, an exhibition area reserved to school, to their travel experiences and projects, and a meeting section.
On November 27, the meeting " School trips and international exchanges" will be held.

ITALY: LAST IN THE LIST FOR YOUTH HOSTELS

Over the last three years, the number of guests in the Italian hostels has increased ( from 690,000 in 1996 to 716,000 in 1997). And in 1998 ( January-September) the trend is even better. 78% of the guests are foreigners and 27% of them are youths.
In Italy there are 20 hostels which are open only in summer and 34 all year round. They bill over 50 billion lire but Italy, with its 54 hostels, is the last on the list ( Germany has 611 hostels, Poland 598, Sweden 305, England 235, Spain 179, just to mention some European countries).

This is a shame, said the Aig President, Mr. Vanni Cechinelli, hostels represent a strategic sector to promote youth tourism in Italy. Investments and precise political choices are badly needed.

OVER 39 MILLION TOURISTS IN EMILIA ROMAGNA

Data referring to the 1998 tourist season in Emilia Romagna are extremely positive: 39.350 million tourists spent their vacation along the coasts of this region ( +1.3% as compared to 1997).
Regardless the positive data, it is important to improve the quality/price ratio and to diversify the offer.
And in this connection, the Emilia Romagna Region has worked out a Special Program for the coast which envisages a 60 billion investment for 1998-2000.

TURIN- THE SECOND EDITION OF THE "ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FAIR"

Through November 21, the "Lingotto" in Turin is hosting the second edition of the "Art of Cultural Heritage Fair", an important event dedicated to the relation between public and private enterprises operating in the cultural field. This year, the fair will focus on " Culture and economic development". In addition, the "Network for cultural Heritage" will be presented by the World Bank.

The Fair includes a 13,000 square meter exhibition area reserved to enterprises, publishing houses, associations and cultural institutions.
It is an important occasion to present products, works and initiatives to visitors and to exchange ideas and programs.

GENOA- THE INTERNATIONAL NAUTICAL SHOW

The thirty-eighth edition of the Salone Nautico Internazionale in Genoa through October 18 offers the possibility to debate the problems of this sector and to put forward new law proposals to better coordinate it.

The Show presents the best of the Italian nautical production. The novelty of this year is: Mondovela, 30 thousand square meters dedicated to sailing yachts and all the initiatives referring to sailing.
On this occasion, the Borsa del Turismo Nautico will take place and, in this connection, a telematic worshop has been organized.

VERONA- BUS TOURISM

20% of the tourists travel by bus and this percentage is bound to increase in the near future because of the Jubilee.

The Veneto Region has understood the importance of bus tourism and, in cooperation with Enit, has organized the "Grandtour workshop" within the framework of the Verona Fair ( October 23-24).

The workshop will allow Italian operators to meet the most important foreign tour operators interested in purchasing services in Italy (110 tour operators from 23 different countries are expected). And from October 27 though 30, Bus & Bus Business, the only event in Italy entirely dedicated to bus transport.

OVER 10,000 CALLS TO COMPLAIN ON TOURIST SERVICES

From mid-June to the end of August over 10,000 tourists have called the Telefono Blu Association to complain on the bad qualities of tourist services. 31% of the calls concerned package tours, 21 % overbooking, the bad quality of hotels and food, 21% pollution.
The highest number of complaints have been registered in: Emilia Romagna (18%), Liguria (12%), Tuscany (10%), Friuli Venezia Giulia (10%), Sicily (8%), Marche (8%), Campania (7%).

B&B: MORE AND MORE APPLICATIONS

7 million per family for a global turnover of 200 billion lire which in 2000 could reach 650 billion lire: these are the results of a survey carried out by Promoroma on the Bed and Breakfast business.
A room can cost, in fact, from 50 to 100 thousand lire and it is enough to ask for an authorization at the APT. The real problem now is whether the families who rent rooms should have a VAT position just as landlords.

There are, however, some differences between the two categories: families cannot host more than six persons and the rooms to let must be in the same house where the owner lives.
And in September, in consideration of this, a specific tax system should be worked out for the bed and breakfast business.

PARMA- MONDO NATURA

Through September 13, in Parma, the Fifth edition of Mondo Natura: a must for all those who love caravans and campers. 200 companies are participating in this initiative, some even from abroad. This sector which interests over 2 million people is becoming more and more significant.

The initiative also includes a rally, Camper and Caravan Challenge, a second-hand market and showing of films on the most fascinating adventures in the deserts and glaciers.
Further information: ph. ++39 0451 711261.

AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON ITALY

According to a survey carried out by the Tourism Department in 14 foreign countries, the image of Italy in the world is strictly connected to tourism, culture and good food.
These qualities are extremely appreciated by women ( men seem to be more interested in politics, sport and economy) who gather information on these topics through magazines and newspapers.

And according to the data released by the Osservatorio Turistico Nazionale delle Città d'Arte, art cities are the main assets to promote tourism. The number of hotels, however, should increase to better host the increasing presence of tourists.

AN ANALYSIS ON ITALIAN CITIES

The Osservatorio Turistico Nazionale delle Città d'Arte, set up in 1998 by the Ferrara Province in cooperation with the Department of Tourism, has drawn a list of Italian towns by taking into consideration tourist, cultural and artistic aspects. 309 towns have been included in this list ( they must have at least 15,000 inhabitants and five hotels).

201 of them are not fully equipped to meet the market requests.
9 of them ( the capitals of the cultural tourism) can fully cope with the market requests.

The other towns have excellent prospects in short terms. They need, however, strategies to further boost tourism and services.

OVER ONE THIRD OF THE HOTELS ACCEPT PETS

Those who have a pet can, without any problem, reserve a room in many hotels. In Italy, in fact, over 13,000 hotels (out of 34,000) accept pets.
An initiative to avoid pets to be abandoned during summer time.
Pets, however, must be kept on a leash and with a muzzle when there are other people. In addition, pets should eat in the rooms where their owners stay.

Hotels do not charge anything for the pets if they do not supply food, otherwise, they can charge up to 10,000 lire a day.
Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia Romagna followed by Veneto Tuscany and Liguria are the regions with the highest number of hotels which accept pets.

FORCHETTA E VALIGIA BLU FOR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Italian restaurants and hotels can now also be blue. If they offer guests a number of services (bikes, special menus) and adopt some measures (cotton and wood to furnish rooms, energy saving heaters and ovens) they will have the possibility to show on their entrance doors new quality labels: for hotels, the Valigia Blu and for restaurants, the Forchetta Blu.
And the guests must point out which hotels and restaurants can be included in this list through post cards, calls or e-mail.
Further information: Forum Nazionale Valigia Blu, ph. ++39 541 55539.

RIMINI - SPECIAL OFFERS FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS

La riviera dei bambini is a club which gathers over 100 hotels ( from 1 to 5 stars) selected according to specific criteria: special services for kids.
The club, set up in 1994, numbers 8,000 members and wants to promote tourism in Rimini, Riccione, Bellaria Igea Marina, Cattolica and Misano Adriatico.

The Department of Tourism in Rimini has published a brochure in Italian and in German with the names of the hotels.
Information and reservations: 167-218232 (free of charge).

LAW NO.488 FOR TOURISM

Incentives envisaged by Law No.488 have been approved. The scope is to promote tourist activities by helping hotels, motels, campings, villages, tourist farms, flats for tourists, hostels.

Incentives are also for travel agencies (in this case, however, allocations are limited).
The regions can also finance activities related to tourist environment development.
Financing also covers expenses related projects, researches on environment, machinery, plants, furniture, software, refurbishment works.

A LABEL EURO TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS

An important agreement has been signed in Brussels among the representatives of tourism, trade, small and medium enterprises, artisan firms, oil distributors and the representatives of the Consumers' Associations.
Starting from January 1999, through January 2002, it will be possible to pay in Euro with cheques and credit cards and the first services and products in Euro will be available. This is a temporary phase where it will not be mandatory to use Euro. After these three years, however, the system will switch from Lira to Euro.

And the Label Euro will protect consumers during this temporary phase. And mainly tourists who want to pay restaurants and hotels in Euro thus avoiding exchange commissions.
And through this initiative, consumers will get more familiar with Euro (prices, however, will be specified in lira and in Euro).

All the enterprises joining this initiative will have the possibility to put the logo on the door of the restaurant or the hotel. The label should be ready by January-April 1999.

TOURISM COMPETITIVITY IN EUROPE

Spain and France, the main rivals of Italy as regards tourism, should register an increase by 5% as regards tourist arrivals. In Italy their presence should increase only by 3%.
The gap is getting wider and wider: France registers 70 million arrivals, Spain 53 million and Italy only 35.

Low prices, high quality, security and facilities are what tourists most appreciate.
As a matter of fact, only one foreigner out of 5 spends his vacations in Southern Italy. The number of the hotels in these regions is lower than in Emilia Romagna, and the number of people working in this sector is lower than in Trentino Alto Adige.

Valtur together with Itainvest has recently decided to set up four tourist villages equipped also with golf courses by creating thus one thousand jobs.

RIMINI - INFORMATURISTA

300 hotels in Rimini are connected daily to the city information system.Through this service, it is possible to have news on bus lines, public offices, room availability, prices and facilities.
In this way, tourists can immediately have an idea of the situation and choose accordingly.

Five stands have been set up along the sea shore where information on all the main events in town are supplied. A ticket service has also been started. And hostesses hand out leaflets to people on the beach on the main events going on in town.
And in addition, eight information centers have been set up in different areas of the city. Tourists in town have also the possibility to visit the exhibition Romana Pictura (Palazzo dell'Arengo, through August 30) on Roman paintings.
And at the Museum of the City (through August 31), the exhibition on the Middle Ages gathering documents and art works dating to the Eleventh-Fifteenth century, a historical period which significantly marked this city.

THE LITERARY PARKS

A visit to the places which have inspired some masterpieces of the Italian literature, such as the baroque rooms of the Donnafugata Castle where Tomasi di Lampedusa set Il Gattopardo, or the medieval abbeys where Grazia Deledda set Canne al vento.
All this will be possible thanks to the project Parchi Letterari promoted by the Fondazione Ippolito Nievo in Rome and the Società per l'Imprenditorialità giovanile.

The literary production (guided tours, publications, meetings) will be accompanied by a food production (wine, cakes, typical deli).
At the moment the initiative envisages the setting up of one park in seven different regions in Southern Italy (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily). The program approved by the European Union involves a 58 billion investment to be entrusted to local bodies and no profit cultural associations.

FASTER FERRYBOATS TO SARDINIA

From next summer, traveling to and from Sardinia will be quicker. Aries and Taurus are the names of the two ferryboats by Tirrenia which will reach Olbia (from Civitavecchia) in three and half hours (four departures a day).
Each ferryboat has 22,500 seats and can carry 6,500 cars.

Thank to these ferryboats, Tirrenia strengthens its leading position in the Mediterranean.
And starting from next summer, the new line Fiumicino-Olbia will start operating.

BED AND BREAKFAST FOR THE JUBILEE

Requests to start Bed and Breakfast activities are booming and this is becoming a real business.
Bureaucratic procedures, however, are cooling off enthusiastic entrepreneurs.

On paper, it would be enough to send a note to the APT in Rome, to have the authorization after the control and to pay a tax.
Nevertheless, to avoid the risk of rental of rooms in poor conditions, Apt has changed the procedure and things are more complicated.

Bed and breakfast are a real novelty for Italy. The latest law on this initiative dates back to 1939.

EURO AND HOTEL ACTIVITY

The Euro introduction has already led to a number of considerations on the influences that this historical event will bring about in EU and non EU countries from a political, economic and social point of view.
And how will the tourist sector be affected by this novelty?

This is the topic of the meeting organized by the Gruppo Terziario Turistico of Assolombarda and by Aica (the Italian Association of Hotel Chains).
Starting from now, competing with the European market will mean having entrepreneurial capacities, offering service quality and being innovative from a production and an organization point of view.

And the hotel sector will have soon to take into consideration this new factor as customers are used to make comparisons. In addition, a greater transparency of the conditions will be necessary.

THE CTS OFFER

Special fares for youths, language courses abroad, programs of study exchange among students. These are only a few of the initiatives worked out by the CTS Tourist Agency in its twenty year activity always centered on youth needs.
And in cooperation with the Italian agencies of the European Committee and the contribution of the San Paolo Bank in Turin, CTS has promoted an initiative, Euroweek, to support the Euro diffusion among youths.
During the Euroweek Cts offers special fares to Europe and prices will be specified in lire and Euro.

Further information: free of charge number ph.167480480.

VACANZE PER TUTTI: TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE TOURIST SECTOR

The Ministry of Industry has adopted some guidelines to implement the program Vacanze per tutti 1998-2000 worked out by the Tourist Department and the Regions and Provinces of Trento and Bozen. The scope of the program is to improve the quality of the tourism system allowing citizens to make the most of tourist services.

The specific needs of the handicapped tourists have also been taken into consideration.
And in this connection, the program includes a number of initiatives to better involve citizens and operators.
Special services of information, promotion of tourist itineraries and ad campaigns have also been arranged.

FERRARA: ONE HUNDRED CITIES TO VISIT

From May 29 through 31, Ferrara is hosting the second edition of Arts and Events: 100 Italian cities : the tourism exchange of art cities which is a good launching pad for all the minor art cities.
And over 100 cities from all over Italy will present their tourist offer and their artistic, architectural and natural beauties.

On May 30, the 600 Italian operators will be meeting the 150 foreign operators asking for new proposals and diverse itineraries.

24 BILLION LIRE FOR THE MONUMENTS IN SOUTHERN ITALY

Fifteen projects will receive grants from the Tourist Department of the Prime Ministry through the European funds for the Magna Grecia itinerary, amounting to 24 billion lire.
Projects refer to the Metapontum area (Apollo Licio) at Bernalda (over two billion), the Hera Temple (Tavole Palatine, two billion), the cultural-tourist itinerary Fiumara in Fiumara (over two billion), the Magna Grecia initiative at Villapiana (two billion), the medieval Bernalda Castle (two billion and 130 million), the archaeological area of Contrada Stefanelli at Gerace (two billion), the Retrieved Temple near Porigliola (two billion), the archaeological park of Trabocchetto near Reggio Calabria (one billion and 715 million).
In addition, 14 billion have been allocated to the universities of Teramo and Calabria, to the Sassi and Naples 99 Foundations, to the provinces of Lecce and Messina, to the regions of Campania and Puglia, to the Tourism Body of Campobasso, to the city of Carbonia and the towns of Arzachena and Guspini.

A GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE IN THE YOUTH HOSTELS.

Hostelling International, the International Association of Youth Hostels started last April the ICN, a global communication service.
The ICN kiosk allows the guests of the hostels in the main cities to communicate through any means from e-mail to fax, from internet to low cost telephone calls (the telephone fares are the lowest in the world). ICN also supplies tourist and travel information.

ICN gives its guests a personal box where any kind of messages can be sent to. In 1998, ICN will be set up in the main 20 hostels and by three years it will be available in most of the 4,500 hostels in the world members of Hostelling International. ICN, together with the already operating IBN, the International Booking Network, a telematic service for booking, will make youth hostels really innovative.

THE MARCHE REGION - THE WIDESPREAD MUSEUM

After a long planning, the New measures to safeguard and enhance the cultural heritage of Marche, to systematically arrange the widespread museum have been approved by the Regional Council. This law will significantly improve the management policy of the culture heritage in the Marche region. Museums, in fact, will be dynamic structures gathering all the cultural areas in the district. All noteworthy public and private buildings, monuments, archaeological and natural areas, abbeys and churches will be considered sort of Museums.
And financial grants will be allocated not only for the keeping but also for the management of this heritage in order to enhance it and promote employment by creating new professional figures.
And provinces and city councils will have a key role in the planning of the interventions.

NEW LAWS ON CULTURE IN THE FOUR PROVINCES OF THE MARCHE REGION

The laws which will deeply affect the culture system and activities in the Marche region have been debated during four meetings promoted by the Regional Department of Culture.
The new measures which have been explained to the city and province managers witness the willingness on the part of the Region to build a new culture system by involving provinces and towns.

The new law on expenses procedures envisages a more active planning on the part of the region, where as provinces will be responsible for the coordination of the interventions.
In addition, a single expense fund will be set up which will allow the Region to operate in a faster way.

PROMOTING ITALIAN ART CITIES

A better promotion and a specific marketing are the key steps which more than one hundred Italian art cities shoud undertake to draw more tourists and create an itinerary different than Venice, Rome, Florence and Naples.
This is the scope of Progetto 100 città promoted by CNEL and debated during a seminar on the new strategies to enhance the huge Italian artistic heritage.
It is necessary to single out the target, to adjust the offer to the market requests, to work out specific sale channels, and to undertake joint initiatives with other cities. These strategies will better promote those cities which risk to be put out from the tourist itineraries.

MASTER IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT

800 hours of training at the Academy, 160 hours of training abroad, 480 hours in stages or in project works in Italian companies: these are the figures of the master in tourism management organized by the Accademia di Commercio e Turismo in Trento. The scope is to promote the introduction of young diploma or degree holders in this sector.

The master-lab to develop know how in tourism management has been arranged in cooperation with the Department of Tourism of the Prime Ministry and the International Center for Tourism & Hospitality Research.
Further information. Accademia di Commercio e Turismo di Trento (Mrs. Ludovica Dal Lago), tel 39 461 912710- internet. http.//www.ACTTrento.net.

8 NEW TOURIST INFORMATION DESKS IN ROME

Tourists while in Rome will no longer run the risk to get lost: they can now turn for assistance to PIT, new tourist information desks located in strategic points. At the moment they are 8 but they will be soon 12 and then 15.
Every stand has a touch screen which can directly be used by tourists.

The initiative is a sort of preliminary test to supply tourists with more information and help in view of the Jubilee.

A CARD TO VISIT 17 MUSEUMS IN TURIN

The 198 state museums have sold tickets for 46 billion lire in the first half of 1997, a 2.48% increase over the previous year. The visitors were 10,562,810, with a 10.67% increase.
The cultural office of the Turin municipality has launched an initiative accepted by 17 museums: an annual entry card. It will cost 30,000 lire for students, the members of cultural associations, youths under 18 and people over 65. All others will have to pay 60,000 lire.

All card holders will receive a quarterly publication will all information on exhibitions, conferences, conventions and organized tours.

MARANELLO- THE CARETAKER OF FERRARI MYTH

Maranello is a very lively city located near Modena. Surrounded by lovely hills, one can reach it through historical and enchanting roads.
Maranello, however, is almost a synonym of Ferrari, the most renowned industry of Formula 1 cars which has its headquarters in this little town.
And near the firm and the track, the Ferrari Gallery has been set up in memory of Enzo Ferrari, the founder, (tel. 39 536 943204) where it is possible to discover everything about the history of this company through images, original cars and objects.

Maranello, however, is also trying to exploit the beauties of its landscape by establishing a park along the Tiepido river where the historical villa Rangoni is located. It hosts one of the richest collections of modern and contemporary sculptures.
And near Maranello, there is Sassuolo, which is not only the capital of industrial ceramics but also a city rich in wonderful monuments such as Palazzo Ducale, the headquarters of the Military Academy of Modena. The Palace, in fact, built in the Seventeenth Century, boasts enchanting rooms decorated by Boulanger, Colonna and Mitelli.

ACI- INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO TRAVEL ABROAD

The Crisis Unity of the General Emigration Management and Social Affairs has a databank on 140 countries.
The scope of this service is to inform Italian tourists traveling abroad and to look after their safety.
And the Crisis Unity supplies these data to Aci, the Italian Automobile Club, and by calling the number 06 491115 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) it is possible to get any kind of information on the country one wishes to visit related to visa, vaccinations, currency, insurances and possible risks.

Aci also supplies the telephone and fax number and address of Italian Embassies abroad.

EUGANEI HILLS IN VENETO

The Euganei hills offer the possibility not only to relax in their famous spas but also to have a wonderful time by visiting the surrounding area.
The Euganei spas, the biggest spas all over the world, are well-known for their mud treatment and their extremely equipped beauty centers.
Some suggestions: the medieval town Arquà Petrarca, Este and Monselice, the wonderful ancient villas surrounded by lovely gardens such as Villa Emo Capodilista at Selvazzano, Villa dei Vescovi at Torrreglia and Villa Barbarigo at Valsanzibio.

In addition in Veneto, one can taste delicious wines and many local delis.
Further information: Tourist office ++39 49 86690550.

ASSISI- LORETO-PADUA TOWARDS THE JUBILEE

These three artistic cities and religious centers will be the main destinations of the pilgrims during the next Jubilee in the 2000.
This is why these three cities, despite the earthquake which hit Assisi, have started a cooperation project for the Jubilee which will be signed in Padua on October 17 and 18.

This initiative Padova-Assisi- Loreto on the way to Rome has also a strategic importance. As a matter of fact, according to the "White Book" recently Published by the Touring Club Italiano, Rome will not have the possibility to receive more than 18 million pilgrims that is why it is important for other religious centers to get ready to host a part of these tourists.
And these three shrine cities are the perfect "Jubilee Route" not only from a geographical point of view but also from a religious point of view.

MARCHE: MANY CULTURAL PROJECTS FOR 2000

Many touristic and cultural initiatives are being planned by Marche Region for the next tree years. 6 billion lire have been allocated for the 29 cultural initiatives which will take place from '98 to 2000 in Macerata, Ancona, Pesaro and Ascoli Piceno and in their provinces.
There are going to be many exhibitions such as " Marche toward 2000" to stress the historical cultural identity of this region , " Cities in the Marche " to promote the artistic heritage of minor towns, and "Gothic in Marche". Special events will be organized to celebrate the millennial of San Ciriaco Cathedral and the XIXth anniversary of Trajan's coronation.

ENIT OFFICES ABROAD: NOW IN CHINA, KOREA, AUSTRALIA AND BRAZIL

ENIT, the Italian tourist body, has rearranged its international network in Europe, the United States, Japan and Latin America, opening new offices in China, Korea, Australia and Brazil.
The board has reorganized the company structure in ten basic operating areas, which are: Iberia (Spain and Portugal), France, Benelux (Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg), German (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Britain (England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland), Scandinavia and Baltic (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia), former Soviet Union and Balkans (Russia, Eastern European Countries and Greece), Far East and Oceania (Japan, China, Korea, Australia and New Zealand), North America (United States and Canada), Latin Ameica (Central America, Brazil, Argentina).

ROUTE FOR 2000: FROM ROME TO UMBRIA AND TUSCANY

A historical and religious route has been recommended for the 2000, starting and ending in Rome after crossing Umbria and southern Tuscany.
It follows the via Flaminia from Rome to Massa Martana, Todi and Chiusi, and an unprecedented stop at the catacombs of Villa San Faustino. Renovation works should be completed by that time and the catacombs opened to the public for the first time ever.

PUGLIA - FREDERICK ITINERARIES AND A RELATED EXHIBITION

One of the most significant times for Puglia was that of Frederick II, who promoted a number of important constructions and renovations involving cities, castles and cathedrals.

One of the best known is Castel del Monte, with its eight identical towers. Also relevant is the castle of Altamura with its magnificent cathedral.
An exhibition to promote these monuments, in an ideal itinerary of Frederick-inspired masterpieces, is touring the Mediterranean capitals with the title >Frederick Itineraries in Puglia

VALIGIA BLU STANDARD AT NATIONAL LEVEL

Valigia Blu is part of the Telefono Blu SOS touristic promotion plan, and it is meant to collect data on the quality of services rendered by hotels and tourist areas.
The experiment started in Rimini, with a questionnaire sent to hotels and the answers verified and evaluated by Telefono Blu SOS. Four hotels in Rimini have received the Valigia Blu high standard report.
Tourist offices have now started sending the form to hotels throughout the country.

EMILIA ROMAGNA: THE BOOM OF MINI PARKS

One of the greatest attractions in Rimini are its mini parks. One of the most successful is Italy in Miniature, which presents the replica of 272 palaces and historical sites, all hand made and in proportion 1-25 or 1-50.

Another success is Venice, built in 1992, with replicas of 119 palaces which line the Grand Canal, of St. Mark's Square and the Basilica with its tower, all in size 1-5.

THE REVIVAL OF THERMAL BATHS IN ITALY

ENIT, the Italian tourism body, has decided to consider thermal baths a prime target for its promotional campaign after studies indicate that health resorts are attracting greater attention worldwide.
Thermal resorts cover 8% of Italian tourism, involving over 24 million people, including a consistent 7 million foreigners. After years of slow decline, in 1996 there was a 2.7% increase of thermal tourists.
Studies indicate a great potential for further expansion if adequately promoted.

NEW INTEREST IN THE FRANCIGENA ROUTE FOR THE JUBILEE

The rediscovery of the Francigena Route, the historic itinerary which led from Canterbury to Rome crossing seven Italian regions, is one of the projects for the next Jubilee.

The minister of Public Works, Mr. Costa, underlined the importance of this artistic itinerary in the Lazio region which most of the people ignore.
Drafts have been presented by the Parliament for works in the other regions to rediscover many pilgrimage and jubilee itineraries.

FREE TRAINS TO CAMPANIA AND CALABRIA

Those who will spend their vacation in Calabria will not have to pay, again this year, for train tickets thanks to a promotional campaign sponsored by the Calabria Region and the Railway Company.
And starting from this year, this incentive will be offered also by the Campania Region.

The special trains called Palinuro Express and The Train of the Sun are ready to leave: it is necessary only to book a vacation of seven days in one of these two regions to have free transportation.

And for this year, another novelty: The railway cruise to Sicily. A special train will stop in the main centers of the island. It lasts seven days and it costs one million lire (it includes meals, hotels , visits and excursions with guides).
Information: Ph.n° ++39 55 2352796.

WATER FESTIVAL IN LAINATE AT THE VILLA NITTA NYMPHAEUM

The nymphaeum of Villa Visconti Borromeo Litta in Lainate (near Milan) has been opened again last May.
It is possible to visit not only some rooms of the huge complex, formed by two buildings of the Sixteenth and Eighteenth centuries, but also what is considered to be one of the most significant nymphaeums in Italy.

The nymphaeum is famous for its Courtyard of Rains, a tunnel-cave decorated with shells and artificial stalactites, and for a number of little dressing rooms completely coated with mosaics and white and black pebbles. Visits: Sundays afternoon from May 11th to August 3rd and from August 31st to October 12th.
Information: Tel.++39 2 93598266