The risk of a monopoly in tourist ports
The expiration of maritime and beach concessions, set for December 31st, could become a lucrative opportunity for a few large entities, at the expense of small local businesses. According to Unimpresa, the Burlando law could allow local administrations to assign all concessions to a single entity, effectively creating a monopoly. This situation poses a risk of speculation that would undermine competition, which is essential for ensuring competitive prices and efficient services.
The case of Orbetello: a worrying situation
A concrete example of this concerning trend is occurring in the Municipality of Orbetello, where the local administration has approved the project to transform the Talamone port into a tourist port. Currently, only one private entity is in the running to potentially receive all 18 existing concessions, previously managed by small businesses and amateur sports clubs. This scenario not only harms local activities but also has negative consequences for sports associations, penalizing sports and the health of young people.
Unimpresa’s actions and the importance of government oversight
Giovanna Ferrara, president of Unimpresa, stated that talks are underway with the European Commission to obtain a more flexible regulatory framework that would allow for three-year extensions of existing concessions. However, it is crucial that the Italian government closely monitors the situation to prevent this reform, which is intended to improve services and stimulate the economy, from becoming an exclusive benefit for a select few. The future of micro and small enterprises must be safeguarded, especially at a time when the government is fighting to protect beach operators from EU pressures.
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