Beach resort decree, extension to 2027 but union alarm goes off: “Companies at risk with new tenders”
The various push and pull have led to something concrete and the beach issue has finally been resolved. The decree approved by the Government has established the extension of concessions in Italy until September 2027with the obligation to start the tenders for renewal by June of the same year. Exceptions are foreseen until the deadline of 30 September 2027 in the presence of “objective reasons”, but no later than 31 March 2028, as indicated in a draft of the decree.
Outgoing concessionaires will be able to count on compensation, and those who have already managed a concession will have an advantage in future tenders. It remains to be seen, however, whether this measure will be sufficient to close the infringement procedure initiated by the EU.. Meanwhile, the unions have been anything but enthusiastic, and the extension has not met with the hoped-for consensus.
Antonio Capacchione, president of the Italian Beach Resort Union (Fipe/Confcommercio), and Maurizio Rustignoli, president of Fiba (Confesercenti), expressed disappointment with the provision: “The legislative provision adopted by the Council of Ministers on the current maritime state concessions it does not satisfy us because it requires the companies to be put out to tender“.
“We will bring together the governing bodies of our organizations – they explain – to evaluate the legislative provision and decide on the union actions to be undertaken. We note, with great regret, that not only the category has been excluded from the process, but also the granting bodies (Regions and Municipalities)who have been managing the administrative functions in this area for decades. We believe that it is in the common interest, not only of beach entrepreneurs, a complete reform of the sector, which protects existing tourist businesses, the result of the work and sacrifices of thousands of families of ‘honest workers’ who have created a successful model of equipped beach resorts, envied at an international level. We also believe that this issue must be addressed seriously and not politically exploited, but discussed in an honest and objective public debate”.
“It is however certain – reiterate the presidents of Sib and Fiba – that We will continue to fight hard to defend the rights of current operatorsalso recognized by European law, and to prevent the Italian model of equipped bathing, based mainly on the work of concessionaires, from being destroyed or distorted, not only for their own interest, but above all for the good of the country”.
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