The three-year deal, dubbed ‘Pact for Tourism 4.0’, will be accompanied by a series of measures of joint action and will include money for the training of employees in the tourism sector, technological innovation, and modernisation of accommodation.
A large portion of the money will also go towards restoration and redevelopment projects, making more buildings available for cultural purposes.
Italy’s tourism sector is worth €185 billion a year, making up 11.8 per cent of the nation’s GDP and accounting for 12.8 per cent of Italian jobs, according to a study carried out by the Intesa Sanpaolo group.
Italian Minister of Heritage, Cultural Activities and Tourism, Dario Franceschini, has supported the deal arguing that the private sector is lagging and will benefit from investing in tourism.
“I’m really happy with this agreement which marks a change of direction in how tourism is dealt with; a sector in which we not only have to get out of a crisis, but also to steer a strong growth,” he said.
WIth ANSA
