Brussels – The International Road Transport Union (IRU) strongly opposes the recent decision of the Venetian authorities to drastically increase (*) – from 1 February 2007 - the entry taxes for coaches in the City of Venice.

This record increase amplifies the tax burden on operators by up to 250%, allowing them - due to the extremely short notice - no chance whatsoever to adjust or re-negotiate the contracts with their customers, especially just before the Venice Carnival in February.

The financial impact of these entry taxes would affect travel and tour operator businesses and, above all, those tourists who traditionally favour coach tourism as the most cost efficient, safe and sustainable touring mode.

This measure is disproportionate, since it does not correspond to any increase in the quality or services provided by the City of Venice to coach tourism activities. It is also discriminatory, as it applies to coaches only and to no other mode of land transport, thus fully contradicting the principle of fair competition.

Francesco Pacifico, President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council, said: “This decision of Venetian authorities is a scandal! We are increasingly witnessing coach and travel unfriendly decisions in Italy and Europe. Such measures have a devastating knock-on effect on other European tourist destinations that are, in turn, introducing various additional burdens and restrictions. The result is the increasing vulnerability and un-sustainability of the European travel and tourism product and the weakening of Europe as a leading tourist destination in the world. It is high time to start thinking European. The European Commission should launch a genuine stakeholders’ platform to address these issues at EU level in a genuine public-private partnership.”

The IRU has called upon the European Commission services to investigate the disproportionate and discriminatory character of the tax, whilst demanding the Venice city authorities not to enforce the tax until results of the investigation are made available.

Source: www.iru.org