Bernabò Bocca, the head of Italian hoteliers’ association Federalberghi, said on Tuesday that the effects of soaring energy prices are as devastating for the tourism industry as the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, calling for the EU to intervene.
“A major intervention on high energy prices is needed from Europe at once or many hotels and tourism businesses will close,” Bocca told ANSA in an interview ahead of the TTG Travel Experience fair in Rimini.
“They did the Recovery Fund for the pandemic and this is a new COVID for tourism.
“Fortunately we don’t have the illness and deaths (of the coronavirus), but the consequences for companies like hotels that consume a lot of energy are similar to those of COVID.
“If Europe exists, it must give us a sign.
“It must help us with money, not tax credits."
