EC acts over “outrageous” tour guide restrictons in Italy
Action by Brussels to ensure European tourist guides are allowed to work in Italy has been praised by the European Tour Operators Association.
ETOA welcomed a statement from the European Commission that it is to request Italy formally allow tourist guides from other member states to work there.
Association executive director Tom Jenkins said: “This statement by the Commission represents a major step forward to eradicating an outrageous restrictive practice that has been a stain on the European tourism industry for decades.”
In Italian law bona fide tour leaders are effectively prevented from earning their living, EOA claims. Law in Italy requires guided groups of tourists to be accompanied by a specialist, locally qualified guide, even though most of the places they visit are otherwise open to the public.
Tour leaders risk arrest and on the spot fines unless they have a specific local guiding qualification or are accompanied by someone so qualified.
Mr Jenkins said: “The current situation in Italy is a disgraceful restraint of trade that effectively amounts to protectionism by the state.
“As an industry, we have no choice but to give our clients poor value, since they end up paying for local guides who add nothing to the enjoyment of their holiday. When clients discover what’s really going on, they feel cheated.
“The current situation is bad for our business and it creates an impression of Europe as a place where visitors are ripped off. Change is urgently needed and the Commission is to be congratulated for pursuing the issue.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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