TRAVELLING IN ITALY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21701, 7 February 1936, Page 19

TRAVELLING IN ITALY

MANY CONCESSIONS TO TOURISTS

PROVISION FOR MOTORISTS

It is natural that many tourists just now should have vague fears about travelling in Italy. Italy, however, is working hard to build up a tourist traffic. She has many schemes. Among them is a system of coupons for foreigners. Details of the plan have been sent to the South Island Motor Union from the Italian State Tourist Department in Australia. Besides making the scheme known, the purpose of the department in disseminating the information is to "counteract rumours which may divert tourist traffic from I talv " Foreign tourists may obtain both hotel and petrol coupons. The hotel coupon is a kind of "hospitality cheque." It replaces currency at certain hotels which are bound by a special agreement to accept them. It is issued by the National Fascist Federation of Hotels and Touring, and can be had from tourist agencies abroad. In every city, spa, and health resort are many hotels which take the coupons. These places have been divided into four groups, with a fifth classification of de luxe hotels. Because of difference in charges between the groups a sliding scale of charges has been made. Coupon-holderS can so choose whichever accommodation is proportionate to their means or to the estimated cost of their tour. The use of the coupons is simple. Moreover it saves the trouble of checking hotel bills. On leaving an hotel the tourist gives one coupon for each day spent there. No supplementary charges are made except for wines, beer, mineral waters, coffee, liqueurs, and the like, which by international hotel custom are not included in pension rates.

At special times of the year, varying from place to place, and corresponding to the "season," a cash supplement can be claimed. Hotelkeepers are entitled to this seasonal payment only during a limited period. Tourists are notified of the places where the supplement is due. They are told, too, of the amount, which varies according to the class of the hotel. Coupons are given only to tourists going to.ltaly from foreign countries. They are valid for six months from the time they are bought.

Petrol Prices Reduced

The possession of hotel coupons gives yet another privilege to the traveller. Realising the need of favouring motor touring, Italy has reduced the price of petrol. This also is done by the coupon system. Foreign motorists touring the country either in their own or in hired cars; may buy petrol coupons, if they already have hotel coupons. Motorists who have hotel coupons for 15 days or less are supplied with special vouchers entitling them to a reduction of 40 per cent, on the sales tax price of petrol. If their hotel coupons are for more than 15 days, to. a maximum of 90 days, the reducon the price of petrol amounts to 80 per cent on the sales tax. Provision is made for a refund of the cost of unused coupons. Italian.'State railways have cooperated - w with the Federation of Hotels. Holders of hotel coupons are allowed a reduction of 70 per cent, on first-classtickets. Tp be privileged with this concession tourists must hold at least 12 coupons. Those who have fewer than 12 coupons, or those who wish to wave! second or third-class are permitted lesser reductions.