Reorganisation of Businesses and Processes, and the Development of Policies to Safely Emerge from the Covid-19 Pandemic in Italy

Abstract

COVID-19 is heavily disrupting a system that seems destined to function henceforth in ways that differ sharply from what we have been accustomed to. Indeed, the ‘solitude virus’ is bringing about a revolution in social values typical of upheavals that affect societies in ways that may not be irreversible but have an impact that lasts for generations. We are faced with nothing less than a change of epoch, in which interpersonal relations and lifestyles are destined to be profoundly altered. One of the most immediate economic consequences of the crisis associated with COVID-19 is the closure of tourist flows. The first effects were felt as early as February 2020, with the spread of the epidemic in many countries, but it was at the beginning of March that activity was reduced to virtually zero in the wake of the widely adopted social distancing measures. Despite Italy having the highest number of enterprises offering accommodation in the European Union (EU), accounting for 30% of the total in 2018, Italian law considers non-hotel accommodation to be a non-essential activity, and with a few exceptions this sector has practically shut down. Formally, regular hotels can continue to operate, but in the vast majority of cases they have also suspended operations. One of the key issues for the tourism sector is that the current crisis, caused by necessary controls on movement in response to the health emergency, is destined to continue, albeit in a milder form, at least in the short term. After describing the COVID-19 emergency in Italy and the policies and measures designed to ensure economic recovery after the pandemic has ended, the chapter examines the probable evolution of incoming tourist flows and the national tourism market. In addition, it assesses the extent to which the measures taken by central government (and implemented by local government) are likely to bring about the recovery of the accommodation sector, which must stand ready to respond with all of its capacity for innovation, resilience and market repositioning.