Italy today: Milan to increase tourist tax in 2025; inspections reveal irregularities in 25% of school canteens; unions confirm general strike after impasse in negotiations with government.
Milan to increase tourist tax in 2025
A city of Milan announced an increase in the “tourist tax” rate from January 1, 2025. This tax, applied to visitors staying in local accommodation, aims to help with public service costs due to the increase in tourist flows.
According to the Ansa news agency, the adjustment will apply to four and five-star hotels, raising the rate from five to seven euros per guest, per night.
According to councilor Emmanuel Conte, the measure reflects the growth in popularity of Milan as a tourist destination, with a forecast of nine million visitors in 2025.
Other Italian cities could also increase their taxes, following a legislative proposal that would double or even triple the tourist tax, with charges of up to 25 euros per night for luxury accommodation. The tax is currently levied in arts cities and tourist destinations, but the change could extend it to all 7.904 Italian municipalities.
Unions confirm general strike after failed negotiations with government
On Tuesday, Italian unions CGIL and UIL confirmed an eight-hour general strike for November 29 in response to the lack of agreement with the government in negotiations over the 2025 budget.
According to a Maurizio Landini, leader of the CGIL, the government has not shown itself willing to consider the union demands, which criticize the planned cuts in spending on social security, public services and transport.
The Minister of Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti, considered the union decision “unbelievable” and accused the unions of not recognizing that the government seeks to reduce taxes, not increase them.
Inspections reveal irregularities in 25% of school canteens
A report released Tuesday by Ansa indicates that one in four school canteens inspected in Italy showed irregularities in health and safety standards.
The inspection operation was carried out in approximately 700 institutions, including nurseries, schools and universities, and identified serious hygiene failures in some places, such as the presence of insects and rodent excrement.
Other irregularities included the lack of operating permits, failures to declare allergens in food and the use of ingredients of unknown origin.
The inspection campaign is part of an initiative by Ministry of Health to ensure that educational institutions meet the standards required for food services. (Main photo: Depositphotos)
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